3:19 PM MDT: Tornado watches and warnings are in effect for parts of southern Alberta and southwestern Saskatchewan as strong storms, also capable of producing heavy rain and large hail, are headed for the region. Isolated tornadoes are possible during the early evening hours and residents are reminded to heed warnings and shelter in place immediately if severe weather hits.
“Doppler radar suggests a thunderstorm near Alliance may produce a tornado about 5 km southeast of Alliance,” said a tornado warning issued at 3:17 p.m. MDT that has since expired (no longer in) effect). “Possible tornado and thunderstorm moving northeast at 6 mph.”
TORNADO west of Alliance #abstorm 238PM pic.twitter.com/i8HyoUL8sS
TORNADO west of Alliance Kyle Brittain on Twitter: “TORNADO west of Alliance #abstorm 238PM pic.twitter.com/i8HyoUL8sS / Twitter” 238PM Kyle Brittain on Twitter: “TORNADO west of Alliance #abstorm 238PM pic.twitter.com/i8HyoUL8sS / Twitter “
— Kyle Brittain (@KyleTWN) Kyle Brittain on Twitter: “TORNADO west of Alliance #abstorm 238PM pic.twitter.com/i8HyoUL8sS / Twitter”
Additionally, forecasters also observed a tornado about 10 km northeast of Coronation moving northeast at 15 km/h.
“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” the weather agency warned. “Take cover immediately if threatening weather is approaching. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, spinning debris near the ground, flying debris, or approaching threatening weather, take shelter immediately.”
CURRENT TORNADO WARNINGS (ALBERTA)
- Co. of Paintearth near Brownfield
CURRENT TORNADO WATCHES (ALBERTA)
- Co. of Paintearth near Brownfield
- Co. of Paintearth near Castor and Fleet
- Co. of Paintearth near Coronation and Throne
- MD of Acadia including Acadia Valley
- MD of Provost near Bodo
- SA 2 near Cessford Wardlow and Pollockville
- SA 2 near Hanna and Richdale
- SA 2 near Spondin and Scapa
- SA 2 near Sunnynook
- SA 3 near Big Stone Cappon and Gold Spur
- SA 3 near Oyen and Cereal
- SA 3 near Sedalia and New Brigdon
- SA 3 near Sibald and Esther
- SA 3 near Youngstown
- SA 4 near Hemaruka Wiste and Monitor Creek
- SA 4 near Kirriemuir and Compeer
- SA 4 near Veteran and Consort
CURRENT TORNADO WATCHES (SASKATCHEWAN)
- City of Lloydminster Sask.
A broader look at the forecast continues below:
The storm pattern continues across the Prairies this week, with the risk of strong to severe storms developing in some areas. Strong wind gusts and large hail are the biggest threats with these storms through Tuesday, although we can’t rule out the possibility of supercells developing. The risk of storms will be largely dispersed across the Prairies by Wednesday, with a few isolated stronger storm cells likely to push the international boundary into the evening hours. Warmer temperatures will also sweep the region this week, although extreme heat is not expected even into next week. More on the storm’s weather and impact below.
TUESDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY: RISK OF SEVERE HAIL WITH RISK OF LARGE HAIL, STRONG WINDS
Tracking down the slope across Alberta and Saskatchewan will produce scattered thunderstorms Tuesday afternoon and evening, with a narrow axis forecast to bring stronger storms into the early evening.
An upper-level disturbance and surface slope will be the cause of Tuesday’s thunderstorms.
“An area from Red Deer to Oyen in Alberta to Kindersley and Saskatoon could see stronger storms in the early evening hours as the wind shear will be a bit more favorable to support stronger storms or supercells,” says Kelly Sonnenburg , meteorologist at The Weather Network.
During the strongest storms, strong wind gusts and large hail as large as tuns or even ping-pong balls are possible. There is also a risk of a funnel cloud or two from Red Deer towards Oyen where there is a bit more rotation in the atmosphere.
By Wednesday, the risk of storms will be largely dispersed across the prairies. The surface low over Alberta will migrate eastward into Saskatchewan and Manitoba, with the focus of scattered storms extending into the Interlake region of Manitoba. A few cells may also develop in Far Eastern Saskatchewan.
“Storms are forecast to develop across the foothills of Alberta, but they won’t be primarily weaker in nature,” says Sonnenburg. “But we will need to watch for a developing low temperature over Montana that could push a few isolated stronger storm cells across the international border late this evening.”
Warmer temperatures are forecast across the region this week, with several days in the mid to upper 20s to lower 30s late into the week and into the weekend. Temperatures above the season are expected next week, but no extreme heat is on the horizon.
Forecasters are also eyeing the potential for a significant system this weekend as a developing low pressure system could move into the region with possible widespread rain and storms, especially for parts of Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
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Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates and storm threats across the prairies.
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