Update: SOUTHEAST SASKATCHEWAN — Environment and Climate Change Canada says four tornadoes occurred east of Estevan during a powerful June 19 thunderstorm.
Climatologist Terri Lang said three separate tornadoes were in the Frobisher area; they were spotted at 4:40, 4:45 and 4:49 p.m.
The other was at Hirsch at 4:20 p.m.
"All were probably generated by the same thunderstorm, but … what happens is with the thunderstorm cell, the tornado will dissipate, it reforms, it dissipates again and reforms, so that's what they're looking at," Lang said.
Elsewhere in the province, two twisters were east of Regina, with one near Davin at 5:05 p.m. and another near Odessa at 5:52 p.m.
"The one near Regina, a lot of people saw it, and everybody was saying it was near a certain place, but they're going with the place near Davin because you have to anchor it to a place," said Lang.
There was also a tornado near Young at 6:18 p.m. and the last one was close to Hubbard at 9:10 p.m.
Investigations might reveal more twisters, she said, but it takes a long time to sift through the pictures and the reports of damage.
Environment Canada received reports of damage from the Frobisher tornadoes, but she didn't have specifics.
"It was an active day, and we have lots of report to sift through. It's not unusual to have a day like this in June, it's just been a slow start to the season because it's been so dry. Now that the rains are starting to come, and we're starting to see a change in the atmosphere, our severe weather season is starting to kick in," said Lang.
***
Update:
Several communities in southeast Saskatchewan have been blasted by powerful storms on June 19.
A tornado warning was issued during the late afternoon in multiple RMs, including Browning, Coalfields, Enniskillen and Mount Pleasant. Brandon Copic captured this footage from the Frobisher area.
A tornado watch that was in effect for the RM of Estevan and others has been lifted. It remains for some east-central and southeast municipalities.
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for the Estevan area, but it has since been lifted. A number of severe thunderstorm warnings were issued in the southeast during the afternoon.
The weather has also caused at least one power outage in the southeast, in the rural area south of Alameda and north of Northgate. SaskPower said crews were working to repair damage caused by a downed line, but were unable to provide a restoration time for power. Power was restored during the overnight hours.
Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca will continue to have updates as they become available.
***
Original story:
SASKATCHEWAN — Storm advisories have been issued for much of Saskatchewan.
A tornado watch is in effect for a section of southeast and east-central Saskatchewan, including Yorkton. A total of 27 RMs are covered.
"A low-pressure system is moving into southeast Saskatchewan, which will trigger severe thunderstorms this afternoon," the tornado watch advisory states. "These severe thunderstorms will then move into southwest Manitoba by the early evening. Conditions are favourable for these severe thunderstorms to produce tornadoes."
Large hail up to six centimetres, wind gusts to 110 kilometres per hour and heavy rain are also likely, the advisory states.
The tornado and severe thunderstorm threat should diminish by the later evening hours.
As for the thunderstorm watch, it covers 136 rural municipalities and the communities within those RMs, as well as the cities of Saskatoon and Regina. It states conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and hail, along with torrential rain.
The agency states some of these thunderstorms may have the potential to produce large hail up to four centimetres, strong wind gusts of 90 km/h and heavy rain.
