Extreme weather struck southern Saskatchewan over the weekend, with reports of a tornado in the region. At 4:11 pm CST on Sunday, Environment Canada confirmed a tornado approximately 10 kilometers outside Kelso, Sask., moving northeast at a speed of 30 kilometers per hour. Kelso, Wapella, Kenosee Lake, and Whitewood were placed under a red level tornado warning by 4:12 pm CST. Similarly, a red level tornado warning was issued near Alameda, Oxbow, and Glen Ewen at 3:46 pm CST on Sunday due to a severe thunderstorm with tornado potential over Alameda moving northeast. The warning was lifted by 4:21 pm CST. Earlier on Sunday, a red level tornado warning was issued northeast of Regina near Serath at 11:40 am CST but was lifted at 11:55 am CST.
The severe thunderstorm activity is part of a broader pattern of severe storms affecting various parts of the province. Environment Canada issued warnings for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across south and central Saskatchewan, including areas around Saskatoon, Yorkton, and Regina. Meteorologist Chris Stammer from Environment and Climate Change Canada attributed these weather patterns to a strong low-pressure system entering the province on Sunday, leading to the development of severe storms. The storms have brought heavy rainfall, golf ball-sized hail near Estevan, and several tornado warnings.
In areas experiencing thunderstorms, Environment Canada cautioned that up to 100 millimeters of rainfall could occur on Sunday and Monday. In Regina, heavy rainfall caused flooding in underpasses on Sunday morning, prompting Regina Police to advise motorists to avoid specific underpasses due to flooding. Stammer anticipates that the most severe thunderstorm activity in the province will subside on Sunday, but strong winds exceeding 90 kilometers per hour are expected from Swift Current to Estevan starting late Monday morning and continuing into the evening.