Tornado reported in east-central Sask.: Environment Canada

Damaged power lines caused during Sunday's tornado on Highway 8 south of Pelly. (Source: Bill's Interesting Things/Facebook)

A tornado warning was issued for east-central Saskatchewan on Sunday.

It affected many areas along and near the Manitoba border, as well as places like Kamsack and the village of Pelly.

Many communities south of Rhein were also placed under a tornado watch, including Esterhazy, Stockholm and Moosomin.

A video of an apparent tornado was captured at the 8 and 49 Service gas station and restaurant in Pelly and was posted to social media at 6:11 p.m.

Our live coverage can be seen below.

7:50 p.m. - The tornado watch ended although a severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect for the area.

6:50 p.m. - The alert was issued in effect for the RM of Clayton including Norquay Stenen and Swan Plain.

6:05 p.m. - The tornado was reported 5 kilometres south of Pelly and was tracking north towards the village.

5:44 p.m. - Environment Canada meteorologists said they were tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado, located just north of Badgerville and is heading north toward The Key, Pelly and St. Philips.

“This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” Environment Canada stated in its alert.

At 3:59 p.m. Sunday, Environment Canada said a tornado had been reported 20 kilometres north of Wronxton, an unincorporated community roughly 43 kilometres east of Yorkton.

The weather agency said it was between the areas of Veregin and Kamsack and was tracking towards Badgerville and St. Philips.

Affected communities include:

• Kamsack
• Rhein
• Runnymede
• Kessock
• Calder
• Rokeby
• R.M. of Good Lake including Canora and Good Spirit Lake Prov. Park
• R.M. of Coté including Kamsack Togo and Duck Mountain Prov. Park

The severe thunderstorm which might have produced the tornado is also capable of producing “damaging winds”, large hail, and intense rainfall, according to Environment Canada.

The weather department also said a second severe thunderstorm was making its way toward Veregin. As of 3:59 p.m., it was located 15 kilometres northeast of Rhein.

Earlier in the day

Parts of eastern and southeastern Saskatchewan have been placed under a tornado watch.

A tornado watch is in place for parts of eastern and southeastern Saskatchewan.

Severe thunderstorms are expected to develop Sunday afternoon, according to Environment Canada.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes. Strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible,” said Environment Canada as of 12 p.m.

The storms are expected to weaken and track out of the area later in the evening, according to the update.

The affected areas include:

• R.M. of Calder including Calder and Wroxton
• R.M. of Churchbridge including Churchbridge and MacNutt
• R.M. of Fertile Belt including Esterhazy Stockholm and Bangor
• R.M. of Langenburg including Langenburg Yarbo and Marchwell
• R.M. of Martin including Wapella and Red Jacket
• R.M. of Maryfield including Maryfield and Fairlight
• R.M. of Moosomin including Moosomin Welwyn and Fleming
• R.M. of Rocanville including Rocanville
• R.M. of Saltcoats including Saltcoats and Bredenbury
• R.M. of Silverwood south of Whitewood
• R.M. of Spy Hill including Spy Hill Gerald and Tantallon
• R.M. of Wallace including Rhein Stornoway Tonkin and Rokeby
• R.M. of Walpole including Kelso
• R.M. of Wawken including Wawota Kennedy and Kenosee Lake
• R.M. of Willowdale including Whitewood and Ochapowace Res.

Special weather statement

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for areas in central and western Saskatchewan.

As of 1:05 p.m., the weather agency said conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds later in the day.

“These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms. This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground. However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado,” read the weather statement.

It was in effect for areas as north as Humboldt, as east as Sintaluta, as west as Alsask and as south as Carnagh.

It also included Regina, Swift Current and Moose Jaw.

“Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous. They can be strong enough to topple trees, damage roofs or toss debris short distances,” said Environment Canada.