UPDATE: Around 9:30 pm last night, Environment Canada lifted the Tornado Watch alerts for areas around the southeast.
Reports on social media from residents show that a tornado touched down near Hirsch, SK, just east of Bienfait. According to some eyewitness accounts, funnel clouds started to form near North Portal and made its way north.
Environment Canada has yet to confirm these reports. We will keep you updated as this story unfolds.
UPDATE: As of 4:20 p.m., Environment Canada has issued a tornado warning for the area east of Estevan. A severe thunderstorm could produce a tornado, with damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall also possible.
Environment Canada advises that if you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately. Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.
Environment Canada has two instances of touchdowns that they are still working on confirming, with nickel-sized hail also being reported.
A Tornado Watch and Thunderstorm Watch has been issued by Environment Canada as a low-pressure system is moving into Southeast Saskatchewan, which is set to trigger severe thunderstorms this afternoon. The severe thunderstorms will then move into Southwest Manitoba by the early evening.
Conditions during the thunderstorms are favourable for producing tornadoes. Large hail up to 6 cm, wind gusts to 110 km/h, and heavy rain are being predicted by Environment Canada.
They expect the tornado and severe thunderstorm threat should diminish by the late evening hours.
Environment Canada advises people to be prepared for severe weather and to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
Should the watch upgrade to a warning for certain areas, Environment Canada recommends the following actions:
- Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.
- Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelters, and move to a strong building if you can.
- As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.
We'll have any updates as the system progresses through the southeast.