An unstable air mass could lead to funnel cloud formations today. (Cam Lee/northeastNOW Staff)

By Cam Lee

Funnel cloud chance

Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm warning, strong winds and hail expected

Jun 4, 2024 | 12:00 PM

Update: 5:15 p.m.

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of north-central Saskatchewan on Tuesday afternoon.

The weather agency says that wind gusts of up to 90 km/h are expected, along with the possibility of nickel sized hail.

The affected communities include Macdowall, Leask, Duck Lake, Kilwinning, and Mistawasis First Nation.

Environment Canada is advising people in the affected areas, and who are in the path of the storm, that heavy downpours are likely to cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Large hail can damage property and cause injury, and strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.

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The agency added that the storm also can produce a tornado.

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Keep an eye on the sky today if you live in northeast or north-central Saskatchewan.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a weather advisory about potential for funnel clouds forming across a large section of the province, from Biggar to the Saskatchewan/Manitoba border.

“The advisory is out for what we call cold-air funnels,” Meteorologist Terri Lang told northeastNOW. Lang said these types of funnel clouds form in specific kind of conditions with unstable air masses.

“When the thunderstorms sort of pop up really really fast because the air is so unstable like it is today, sometimes these funnels can develop.”

For the most part the funnel clouds don’t touch down on the ground, according to Lang. When they do touch down, they can form landspout tornadoes that can cause damage.

“We just want people to kind of have that heads-up and that context that they need when they see something like that,” explained Lang.

A low-pressure system moving through the province is to blame for the instability. The same system caused funnel clouds and a few landspout tornadoes in Alberta yesterday.

Lang said the advisory will likely be in place until late afternoon. Should tornadoes develop, Lang advises people to head to a basement away from an outer wall or glass. Anyone without a basement can move to an interior room, such as a closet.

The clouds and rain will stick around over the next couple of days. Lang warned that tomorrow could be quite windy. Conditions should turn around by Thursday, with sunshine and temperatures in the low-to-mid 20’s expected by the weekend.

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Cam.lee@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @northeastNOW_SK