Sask. thunderstorms bring tornadoes, lightning

It was a wild Thursday for weather across southern and central Saskatchewan, as a storm system swept through spawning frequent lightning and a few landspout tornadoes.

Two weak tornadoes were spotted around 3:30 p.m. in the province’s southeast. One was caught on video by a farmer near Tyvan, about an hour southeast of Regina, while another was captured by social media users near Esterhazy.

Just at the other end of the field… finally got some rain… #SKstorm #dustbowl #plant18 pic.twitter.com/ZtVmjdbCgD

— Warrenoutcattleco. (@DWarren21) May 25, 2018

Environment Canada said landspout tornadoes are less powerful than those generated by super-storm cells, but they can still pose a danger to people.

Taken today between, 3:20 and 3:30 near Esterhazy #Saskatchewan by Chris Bohlken #Skstorm pic.twitter.com/cBnme1ogyb

— Ryan Wunsch 🇨🇦 🥩 (@ryanwunsch) May 25, 2018

People in the path of the storms were also treated to an extended light show.

Environment Canada meteorologist Antoine Petit said the Regina area saw 6,947 lightning strikes Thursday, while Saskatoon saw 2,059.

https://twitter.com/lochwilly/status/999884496802476034

A LOT of lightning in the storm sweeping through #yxe right now! I love a good storm. Stay safe folks! #skstorm pic.twitter.com/DOXCob53Yf

— Chris Vandenbreekel 🇨🇦 🍁 🇨🇦 (@Vandecision) May 25, 2018

https://twitter.com/MeteoAntoine/status/1000034454256209923

The thunderstorms only provided sporadic rainfall though, barely dampening extremely dry conditions in some areas.

Environment Canada reported only 0.4 millimetres of rain at their gauge in Regina, while Saskatoon saw 3.3 millimetres.

However, the weather agency’s Saskatoon gauge is located at the airport in the city’s north end.

Residents in eastern neighbourhoods reported their rain gauges collected up to 12.5 millimetres of rain from the Thursday evening storm.

12.5 mm in the rain gauge in east #saskatoon from last night's #skstorm

— Rhubarbtime (@rhubarbtime65) May 25, 2018