Severe storm risk rises on the Prairies on Saturday, stay alert
Prepare for strong to severe thunderstorms across portions of Alberta and Saskatchewan through the second half of Saturday
Beneficial rain is on the way for parts of the Prairies struggling with drought this summer—but the precipitation will come at a cost.
Forecasters expect strong to severe thunderstorms to develop across Alberta and Saskatchewan through the day Saturday.
Keep an eye on the radar and listen for severe weather alerts in your area as you go about your day.
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Severe weather risk builds on Saturday
A low-pressure system building over the western Prairies will spark another day of active weather across the region. Expect the day to begin with showers continuing for Edmonton and southwestern Saskatchewan.
We’ll see this low strengthen through the day. By the late afternoon, high instability will fuel a severe thunderstorm risk in southern Saskatchewan. This includes Assiniboia, Regina, and surrounding communities. An isolated severe storm is also possible in the Alberta foothills.
The greatest threat with any severe storms that develop on Saturday will be large hail, heavy rainfall, and strong wind gusts of 90+ km/h. Forecasters are also monitoring an uncertain risk for tornadoes.
As the centre of low pressure develops near Calgary, the scattered thunderstorms across southern Alberta will cluster together and form into a squall line that moves into far southern Saskatchewan during the evening and overnight hours.
Hail will pose the initial threat with these storms, with the risk transitioning over to strong wind gusts as the individual storms merge into a line.
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The system and its associated thunderstorms should bring some beneficial rain to regions that desperately need some precipitation this summer.
Folks from Calgary to Red Deer could see 20-30 mm of rain through Saturday, while widespread totals of 10-20 mm on tap for southern Saskatchewan.
Header image courtesy of NOAA/Unsplash.
Be sure to check back for your latest forecast across the Prairies.