Funnel clouds possible in southwest Sask., thunderstorm warning in southeast

Environment Canada advised people in southwestern Saskatchewan to keep their eyes on the skies Tuesday.

The weather service issued an advisory saying conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds. The advisory was in place for areas around Leader, Gull Lake, Shaunavon, Maple Creek, Val Marie and Cypress Hills.

“These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms,” the advisory said. “This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado.”

Environment Canada said it would issue watches and warnings if tornadoes become a possibility.

“Treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously,” the advisory said. “Should a funnel cloud develop nearby, prepare to take shelter. These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning.”

Just after 5 p.m., Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorm warnings for areas in the southeast. The warnings covered the region around Carlyle, Oxbow, Carnduff, Bienfait and Stoughton.

The alert said the storm could produce up to nickel-sized hail and heavy rain.

“Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: Large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall,” the advisory said.

Meanwhile, air quality alerts remained in place for areas of northwestern Saskatchewan. Smoke from wildfires remains a concern in the La Loche and Clearwater River Dene Nation areas.

More information is available on the Environment Canada alerts page.