Prairie provinces face risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes

There is the potential for severe weather across parts of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba today, with damaging winds, large hail, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes possible in some areas.

The highest threat area is centred over southern Saskatchewan near the Regina region, where there is the potential for wind gusts between 100 and 120 km/h, hail up to 4 to 5 centimetres in diameter and an isolated tornado risk. Tornado watches are already in effect in the area.

A broader area stretching from central Saskatchewan into southern Manitoba is under a high-risk designation. Communities including Saskatoon, Yorkton and Brandon could see wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, hail ranging from 2.5 to 4 centimetres and rainfall totals between 50 and 75 millimetres in localized downpours.

Elsewhere across portions of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, there is a lower but still notable risk of thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts up to 70 km/h and heavy rainfall.