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A beautiful Sunday afternoon across Saskatchewan came with a catch: the weather could turn quickly.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch at 1:11 p.m. Sunday for Regina and much of southeastern Saskatchewan, warning conditions were favourable for storms capable of producing severe winds and small hail.
The alert covers 127 areas, including Regina, Estevan, Weyburn, Yorkton, Melville, Humboldt, Melfort, Nipawin and Hudson Bay.
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A severe thunderstorm watch was issued for southeast Saskatchewan on May 24, 2026. (Environment Canada website)
Kyle McAulay, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said the alert was a watch, not a warning, meaning the ingredients were in place, but severe storms had not necessarily developed yet.
“The watch comes first before the warning, usually, and the watch means that conditions are favourable,” McAulay said. “Keep an eye on your forecast, keep an eye on any updates.”
McAulay said thunderstorms were expected to develop later Sunday afternoon and continue into the evening, with the main threat being strong wind gusts.
“The main threat of these thunderstorms are going to be strong, specifically strong severe winds that can cause some damage,” he said. “There’s also going to be showers with them, and some smaller-sized hail is possible too.”
Environment Canada warned that damage to roofs, fences, branches, or soft shelters was possible. The agency also said strong wind gusts could damage trees and buildings, and overturn vehicles.
McAulay said the storm is being fuelled by an unstable atmosphere, with warm air near the ground and cooler air above it.
“That creates instability, which allows the clouds to develop and form tall, large thunderstorm clouds called cumulonimbus clouds,” he said.
He said drier air near the surface could also help strengthen wind gusts as storms moved through.
“Today it’s really a little bit drier at the surface, so that’s going to be a big help with winds and strong wind gusts,” McAulay said.
The storms are also expected to be fast-moving.
“There’s gonna be a little bit of rotation with them too, so that’s going to help them stay organized and stay active for longer,” he said.
McAulay said Sunday’s watch was the first severe thunderstorm watch of the Prairie summer storm season.
“We’re in summer mode now, flipping the switch,” he said.
Environment Canada said people should secure loose objects, move indoors when thunder is heard, and take shelter in a basement or interior room if threatening weather approaches.
“If you see a thunderstorm approaching, you definitely take some shelter,” McAulay said. “Keep loose items tied down, or bring them inside if you can.”
He also warned people to stay away from windows if severe weather moved in.
Storm reports can be sent to Environment Canada by emailing SKstorm@ec.gc., calling 1-800-239-0484 or posting on X with the hashtag #SKStorm.
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