Opportunity for severe weather on the Prairies could strike again
Another stormy week has taken hold of the Prairies after the first tornado of 2023 was confirmed for Canada in Saskatchewan last weekend, and now what could be the second.
Photos of what appeared to be a landspout tornado northeast of Stettler, Alta., surfaced on social media Wednesday afternoon after severe storms popped up. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued brief tornado warnings, but in that time, numerous photos were posted on Twitter.
Going forward, the storm threat will shift once again for Thursday, with the severe potential swinging farther south into Saskatchewan and extending into parts of southwestern Manitoba and northwestern Ontario. The risk includes large hail and strong winds.
Visit The Weather Network's wildfire hub to keep up with the latest on the active start to wildfire season across Western Canada.
Thursday
Areas: Saskatchewan and extreme southern Manitoba
Weather: The thunderstorm threat shift east and be along a trough in Saskatchewan and increased CAPE values or atmospheric instability to initiate thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening that will likely be quite widespread. The main threats with storms that develop will once again be strong winds and large hail.
The risk for thunderstorms will continue Friday and Saturday, but will be more confined to the eastern Prairies.
Analysis
Disturbances embedded in a westerly flow will continue to trigger thunderstorms. The upper-level pattern evolves by Wednesday, as the Prairies are put in an unstable, southerly flow on the backside of a strong, high-pressure ridge across northwestern Ontario.
This means there will be a daily thunderstorm risk across the region, so check back often for thunderstorm forecast updates.
Prepare
Stay alert and monitor the forecast for updates. Have a plan and a place to head indoors if the weather changes.
[Watches](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/science/explainers/how-severe-weather-is-communicated-in-canada) mean conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms.
[Warnings](https://www.theweathernetwork.com/en/news/science/explainers/how-severe-weather-is-communicated-in-canada) mean they are imminent or occurring in your area.
Thumbnail courtesy of Jill Traver, taken in Waskatenau, Alta.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for more forecast updates on the Prairies.
