A tornado watch has been issued for western Manitoba. At 1 p.m. on Sunday, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued a yellow tornado watch for the area, which includes Melita, Brandon, Neepawa, Dauphin, Swan River and Pelican Rapids. The weather agency says conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms, which can produce tornadoes, strong winds, large hail and heavy rain – expected Sunday afternoon. “Significant damage or destruction to infrastructure, homes and the natural environment is possible,” the watch stated. ECCC says the possible thunderstorms are expected to weaken and track out of the area later Sunday evening. In the event of a tornado or a tornado warning, the agency advises going indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows. A number of western Manitoba communities were hit hard by overland flooding after the June 7 weekend’s thunderstorms. Three municipalities – Swan River, Minitonas-Bowsman and Swan Valley West – declared states of local emergency.
