Funnel clouds spotted around Regina, Moose Jaw

After a sunny and warm morning, the skies turned grey and stormy Monday afternoon, and several people spotted funnel clouds in the Regina area. 

In mid-afternoon, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for the areas around the Regina, Fort Qu’Appelle, Moose Jaw and Moosomin areas about the possibility of funnel clouds. The statement noted that through the afternoon clouds were spotted near Aylesbury, Moose Jaw, and north of Regina.

Environment Canada said the funnel clouds normally don’t pose a risk near the ground, but said there was a possibility it could become a weak landspout tornado, which don’t usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous. 

Justin Shaer is a meteorologist with Environment Canada and on Tuesday he confirmed there were four or five funnel clouds spotted.

“Not really close to the ground at all, this was pretty weak stuff – not like you would expect later in the summer where it’s more of a risk,” he explained.

The statement regarded funnel clouds ended around 5:30 p.m. Monday.

Shortly after the first weather statement, Environment Canada also issued a rainfall warning for the Carlyle, Estevan, and Moosomin areas in the southeast corner of the province. Environment Canada predicting rain and thunderstorms to move up from the south over that area, and intensify overnight. Total rainfall was expected to be from 35 to 75 mm, or 1.5 to 3 inches.

“Not too many thunderstorms, it’s more kind of a synoptic rainfall and about 50 mm is what we’re looking at,” Shaer said.

Doug C. just posted and wrote: “Spotted a funnel cloud few minutes ago north of St. Joseph’s” #skstorm pic.twitter.com/r4vHo1c5zO

— Saskatchewan Tornado (@SaskatchTornado) May 30, 2016

Angie H. just posted this funnel cloud and wrote: “My husband took this a few minutes ago near qu’appelle” #skstorm pic.twitter.com/JohrYNwjJR

— Saskatchewan Tornado (@SaskatchTornado) May 30, 2016