Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) meteorologists say they’ve confirmed two tornadoes in Saskatchewan near Melville and Yorkton on Sunday with the possibility of a third tornado forming.
At around 4 p.m. CST a tornado touched down about 10 kilometres northwest of Melville, a community about 145 kilometres northeast of Regina, and the tornado was moving northeast at 30 km/h.
About 30 minutes later, the weather office said it was tracking the tornado near Otthon, Sask., about 25 kilometres northeast of Melville. It was moving east towards the Leech Lake/Sakimay areas.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, but the weather office noted it was a serious storm.
“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” the weather office said.
People in the area were advised to take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches.
Localized flooding
At around 5:30 p.m. ECCC meteorologist Mark Melsness said they tracked a second, larger tornado south of Yorkton, Sask., near the Leech Lake area.
Yorkton was also hit with about 60 mm of rain between 5 and 6 p.m. Melsness said that level of rainfall would put any storm-sewer system under immense pressure, adding the streets of Yorkton were flooding. The Yorkton airport reported 34 mm of rain over the same period.
ECCC received reports of toonie-sized hail in Yorkton and larger tennis-ball sized hail just south of town.
Based on what appeared on the radar, Melsness added they’re tracking the possibility of a third tornado forming around Grayson, Sask., about 180 kilometres northeast of Regina. While he couldn’t confirm a tornado, Melsness said there’s a threat of a tornado touching down based on the conditions.
Stormy skies
Environment Canada meteorologists were also tracking a dangerous thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to golf ball size hail and heavy rain in the southwest.
At 5:12 p.m. the weather office said a severe thunderstorm is over Grasslands National Park and is moving east at approximately 40 km/h.
Officials warned that fast-moving water across a road can sweep a vehicle away and the storm is capable of producing nickel to ping-pong sized hail.
By: CBC News, Posted: Jul 31, 2016 3:55 PM CT, Last Updated: Jul 31, 2016 6:57 PM CT
Photo: By Katie Vickers “A tornado was spotted by Leech Lake off of Highway 9 south of Yorkton, Sask.”
