Severe Thunderstorm Risk Targets Parts of the Prairies Sunday

Once again today, there is a risk of severe thunderstorms across parts of the Prairie provinces, with the greatest risk centred on southern Manitoba and eastern Saskatchewan.

A broad area stretching from southeastern Saskatchewan into southern and central Manitoba faces a moderate risk of severe weather through the day and into the evening.

Thunderstorms developing in the region could produce damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rainfall. The most significant threat is expected in parts of Manitoba, where wind gusts between 90 and 110 km/h, hail measuring four to seven centimetres in diameter, and rainfall amounts of 75 to 100 millimetres are possible.

Areas around Regina, Yorkton, Brandon, Dauphin and Winnipeg are included within the regions identified for elevated storm potential.

In southeastern Saskatchewan, severe storms may generate wind gusts up to 90 km/h, hail ranging from 2.5 to 4 centimetres, and rainfall totals between 50 and 75 millimetres.

Elsewhere, lower-end thunderstorm risks extend across portions of Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and northern Manitoba. These areas could experience thunderstorms capable of producing lightning and localized heavy downpours, although the severe weather threat is expected to be more limited.

There is also a risk of funnel clouds in parts of southern Saskatchewan, while a tornado threat has been identified for portions of southern and central Manitoba, where the strongest storms develop.