UPDATE: All warnings and watches mentioned in this story have ended.
UPDATE: 6:30 PM: Environment Canada has ended its tornado warning for parts of southern Saskatchewan. However, severe thunderstorms watches remain in effect throughout southern Saskatchewan.
UPDATE 6:23 PM: The potential tornado is located near Kendal and is tracking to the northeast at 20 km/h, says Environment Canada.
UPDATE 6:02 PM: The potential tornado is located roughly 15 km northeast of Francis and is tracking to the northeast at 20 km/h, says Environment Canada.
Original article continues below.
Environment Canada has issued a tornado warning for multiple rural municipalities in southern Saskatchewan.
The alert, issued at 5:48 p.m., includes:
- The rural municipality of Francis including Vibank, Sedley and Odessa
- The rural municipality of Montmarte including Assiniboine Res
Environment Canada says its meterologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado.
Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are possible.
The potential tornado was first located roughly 10 km north of Tyvan and was tracking to the northeast at 30 kilometres an hour, says Environment Canada.
At 6:02 p.m., the agency released a second alert saying the potential tornado is located roughly 15 northeast of Francis and is tracking to the northeast at 20 kilometres an hour.
“This is a potentially life-threatening situation,” said Environment Canada on its website.
“Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. 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.”
Environment Canada advises to 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 shelter, 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.
Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes.
Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect throughout southern Saskatchewan.