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It's Emergency Preparedness Week in Saskatchewan, and with that lining up with some summer weather, we talked with Environment and Climate Change Canada to see how people can prepare for severe weather. As the southeast heats up, thunderstorms, hail, and even tornadoes can all appear, which need to be prepared for accordingly.
Warning Preparedness Meteorologist Danielle Desjardins says that as the severe weather season starts, people should be prepared ahead of time.
"One of the things you can do, and it's probably the most important, is plan ahead. So knowing where the best place to go in the event that there is severe weather is one of the best things you can do. So whether it's your home or you're out camping or travelling, making sure you know where a location is that will be safe."
That can include a building, preferably with a basement or a room that's not along the outside walls.
Another piece of preparation is emergency kits, with Desjardins giving the best examples of what to pack ahead of an emergency.
"Having a safety kit is definitely one of the highly recommended things in case of severe weather. So within that kit, having a flashlight, a radio, preferably a weather radio, food supplies, a first aid kit, and even some extra blankets or clothing. Having those items in your emergency safety kit is necessary just in case something does happen and you do get stuck or you have to stay in place for an extended period of time."
People should also be prepared by keeping an eye on the weather forecast and keeping an eye on alerts that could pop up.
Those can all be found on Environment Canada's website, with local forecasts and warnings available across the southeast.
"On the weather.gc.ca website, we have the latest watches, warnings on the website as well as on the WeatherCan app. That's going to send you notifications right to your phone in your area as to whether or not there is a watch or warning in effect. So that will have the latest information and will have the most current, up-to-date weather information available."
With all of the sunshine and warmer weather, summer sports leagues are also starting up. In the case of a potential thunderstorm interrupting the game, Desjardins says they should have a plan in case the situation gets worse.
"The one thing you can do if you are playing outdoor sports or enjoying an outdoor activity is locate the nearest building that would be safe just in case severe weather does strike. Because if you do have a severe thunderstorm, for example, in the area, they can come on quite quickly. So knowing that location and where to go in case of severe weather is one of the things at the top of the list."
Summertime is also the prime season for camping, which Desjardins says has similar safety considerations.
"In a tent or a camper, they are not ideal for staying safe during severe weather. So once again, looking for the closest building with a hard-covered roof, knowing where that is just in case, and seeking shelter there, not in your tent or camper, that's where you're going to stay the safest."
You can keep an eye on the weather anytime with the CARSTAR Hail-Otto Weather Page.