Thunderstorms make their way through Saskatchewan

A line of thunderstorms stretching from the North Battleford area to Cypress Hills began moving into Saskatchewan Wednesday morning from Alberta.

Environment Canada meteorologist John Paul Cragg said the storms were expected to hit Saskatoon and Regina by Wednesday afternoon and then continue on to Manitoba that evening.

He said the storms were likely to intensify as they track eastwards.

“As they move into warmer air, there’s a chance some of these thunderstorms could become severe.”

Cragg said tornado risk from the storms was low, but the systems could bring heavy winds and hail.

With many parts of the province crying out for rain following a fairly dry month of May, Cragg said Wednesday’s storms weren’t likely to bring much precipitation.

However, with similar systems also expected to move through the province on Thursday and Friday, he said the moisture would add up.

“Finally it seems like the skies are opening up and we’re getting some that needed rain across some of the more parched areas of the province.”

Environment Canada issued a series of severe thunderstorm watches just before 10:30 a.m. covering Saskatoon, Regina and much of southern and central Saskatchewan.