A potent storm system soaked communities across West Central Saskatchewan Saturday, bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms and a brief tornado touchdown near Cabri.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued multiple warnings as the low-pressure system pushed through the region on June 21, dumping upwards of four inches of rain in some areas and triggering localized flooding.
The highest rainfall total was recorded in Coleville, where 127 millimetres (5 inches) fell. Other notable totals included:
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4 inches on in Unity
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4.2 inches in Springwater
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4 inches west of Biggar, 3.5 inches just west of Unity, and 3.5 inches in Salvador
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3.8 inches in Luseland (Lisa Ward Bartsch), with nearby reports of 4.5 inches
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3.7 inches also reported in Luseland (Lisa Lannigan Loeb)
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3.6 inches on the 675 grid road
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3.5 inches at Cactus Lake (south of Macklin), Provost, and Superb by Hwy 51
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3.2 inches at Loverna
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3.1 inches north of Portreeve and in Denzil
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3 inches at Anerley, Flaxcombe, and just behind Kerrobert
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2.9 inches south of D'Arcy
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2.83 inches in Stranraer
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2.7 inches in Rosetown, just north of Biggar, and in Unity (another report)
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2.6 inches east of Lemsford, 2.6 inches in Milden and Flaxcombe (Blaine Cisna)
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2.5 inches in Eston and Glidden, west of Unity, in Merid, and in Battleford
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2.3 inches south of Prelate
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2.15 inches in Glidden
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2 inches in Kindersley, Macklin, and Dinsmore
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Lesser totals included Zealandia (3/4 inch), Fox Valley (0.4 inch).
Late in the afternoon, storm activity intensified. Around 4:15 p.m., a brief tornado was captured on video by Jennifer Zacharias near Cabri. The funnel cloud was short-lived, and no damage was reported. Environment Canada said the system was fuelled by moisture-laden air and unstable atmospheric conditions, leading to embedded thunderstorms capable of producing funnel clouds and heavy downpours.
In Eston, the downpour caused flash flooding at Riverside Regional Park. More than 2.5 inches of rain fell quickly around 5 p.m., washing out roads, downing trees, and damaging infrastructure, including culverts and bridges on the golf course
Environment Canada said the system was fuelled by moisture-laden air and unstable atmospheric conditions, leading to embedded thunderstorms capable of producing funnel clouds and heavy downpours.
Forecasters say a return to unsettled weather remains possible in the coming days, and residents are urged to stay alert for further advisories.