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Saskatchewan kicked off its 2025 storm season with a bang Tuesday evening, as Environment Canada issued the province’s first severe thunderstorm warning of the year for parts of the West Central region.
The alert, issued at 5:49 p.m. CST, warned of a thunderstorm capable of producing quarter-sized hail and wind gusts exceeding 90 km/h. At 5:45 p.m., Doppler radar showed the storm cell located about 5 kilometres west of Eston, moving east at 30 km/h.
While radar indicated possible larger hail, on-the-ground reports were slightly less severe —reports of dime-sized hail, wind gusts around 70 km/h, and heavy rainfall as the system rolled through.
The storm brought some much-needed moisture to the region, which entered spring still thirsty from a dry fall. Farmers in the Eston, Kindersley and Rosetown areas welcomed the rain, which will help replenish topsoil ahead of seeding season.
Severe thunderstorms aren’t rare in the spring, but they’re usually short-lived due to the limited heat in the atmosphere. Still, they can bring quick-hitting impacts.
This week's storm activity isn't exclusive to Saskatchewan — parts of Alberta also saw lightning and rumbling skies, hinting that summer may be stretching its legs a bit early. However, forecasters warn not to get too comfortable in your T-shirt just yet.
“Don’t rule out spring snow,” meteorologists said, noting that April has a long track record of surprise snowfalls, especially on the western Prairies. “Warm patterns can flip quickly, and low-pressure systems this month often bring one last blast of winter.”
Storm activity is expected to linger midweek, with more isolated showers and thunderstorms possible Wednesday across central and southern Saskatchewan, including areas near Saskatoon and Regina. However, the storms are expected to stay below severe criteria, with weak atmospheric instability limiting their development.
Meanwhile, temperatures remain mild and springlike, which may trick a few optimists into swapping snow brushes for sunscreen — at least temporarily. A snow rain mix is expected this weekend.
With the first thunderstorm of the year now logged, Saskatchewan officially enters the annual tug-of-war between the seasons. Whether it’s thunder, rain or an unexpected April snowstorm, the Prairies are once again proving they like to keep things interesting.