Severe thunderstorm watch, tornado alert in Saskatchewan

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is predicting that dangerous thunderstorms will develop over much of the province late Saturday afternoon and evening, and a tornado warning was issued for R.M. of Blucher including Allan, Clavet, Bradwell and Elstow.

At 5:24 p.m., Environment Canada said it is tracking a severe thunderstorm that may possibly produce a tornado.

The thunderstorm watch cover the cities of Saskatoon, Moose Jaw, Lloydminster and The Battlefords as well as a number of RMs.

ECCC said that the storms may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and torrential rain.

Hail can damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injury, ECCC says.

It also says that very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.

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During storm alerts heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads and water-related activities may be unsafe due to violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water.

While the odds of getting struck by lightning are less than one in a million, lightning is also a danger.

The Government of Canada says that there are an average of between two and three lightning-related deaths and 80 lightning-related injuries across the country every year. Most injuries and fatalities occur between June and August, and most fatalities were people in open areas or taking shelter under a tree.

The Environment Canada website on Saturday afternoon shows the areas covered by thunderstorm watches (in yellow) and air quality warnings (In red and grey). (ECCC/Screengrab)

Air quality warnings and advisories still remain over much of the province as well. Wildfire smoke still lingers in a number of areas.

ECCC says that air quality and reduced visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour.

“Wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone’s health even at low concentrations,” the alerts say.

“People with lung disease (such as asthma) or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people and people who work outdoors are at higher risk of experiencing health effects caused by wildfire smoke.”

Environment and Climate Change Canada is advising anyone experiencing shortness of breath, wheezing, severe cough, dizziness or chest pains to stop outdoor activities and contact a health care provider.

More information on air quality alerts for specific areas of the province is available at weather.gc.ca. Information is also available on the Saskatchewan Public Service Agency website at saskpublicsafety.ca and the SaskAlert app. The provincial air quality summary for Saskatchewan can be found here.

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