Update: Tornado warning lifted in west-central Sask., severe thunderstorms still expected

Tornado warnings were issued, then lifted, for communities near the Saskatchewan-Alberta border.

The warnings affected regions near Kindersley, Rosetown, the Battlefords, as well as Martensville and Warman.

Environment Canada meteorologists were tracking a “possible tornado” near Landis, where Gail Kammer is a resident.

Kammer recalled pouring rain. The hail on the ground looked like snowfall. The sky, menacing.

“It was really dark. Not just an ordinary thunderstorm dark, it was a really black dark out,” Kammer said.

She reported strong gusts that stripped leaves off the branches. Her husband was driving but had to stop because the rain and hail obstructed his vision.

Having seen enough, Kammer decided to shelter in her basement.

“It looked so terrible out there I wasn’t going to chance it,” she said.

At about 3:45 p.m., Kammer said conditions were improving, with the skies clearing. However, there was still rain and thunder.

Kammer’s recount confirmed what Environment Canada had forecast earlier in the day as the storm tracked northeast at 35 kilometres per hour.

“Severe wind is certainly a concern with this storm. Large hail is possible. We’ve had reports of quarter-sized hail in Alberta already today. So we know the moisture in the environment is conducive to large hail,” said meteorologist Sara Hoffman.

Whenever a tornado is a possibility, Environment Canada has this advice for those who might encounter the storm.

“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately,” its website says.

“Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet. Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”

You can see the latest weather alerts, warnings and watches here.

Severe weather watches are different from warnings, which indicate severe weather is imminent or already occurring.