Happy Holidays and Safe Driving!

Snow cover around the province this winter is no where near what we had last year but for the most up to date road condition while you travel Saskatchewan during winter, please click here (high bandwidth map graphic) Visit the official Saskatchewan Highways Hotline website for more. http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/ Have a safe and happy holidays!

Winter? Still Waiting Here

Current snow cover maps shown below. Its snowing in the east, its snowing in the west, and snow has fallen in the south but nothing but autumn on the Canadian Prairies, and a bunny rabbit or two.
U.S. and Southern Canada Daily Snow Cover Analysis

Intellicast Snow Cover

Incredible Series Of Storms

August 6-7, 2011- Noon to well after midnight
This video starts off fast and ends with a bang!

Coffee at Starbucks in south Regina was quite the experience on this day as clouds quickly merged in front of the shop to form a very ominous looking spectacle.
This cloud moved towards Weyburn, Saskatchewan which prompted Environment Canada to issue tornado warnings as it developed a hook echo about 3 hours later.

Storms developed all around the province and severe thunderstorm warnings were issued almost everywhere except the city of Regina which narrowly escaped any of the damage. Weyburn, unfortunately got hit the hardest with yet another flash flood that raised water levels in that area which has had far more than enough rain this year. That city once again looks like a lake. Large amounts of small hail were reported in many areas, especially south and east of Regina.

The Weather Network picked up one of the clips in this video earlier in the day as clouds here looked nasty.

Later on, after midnight storm cells came together to produce some intense lightning over the city as seen at the end of the video.

All footage shot by:
Jared Mysko

More lightning over Regina

Intense Lightning in Regina - Aug 7, 2011 -#skstorm

Lightning and Circle Cloud over Saskatchewan Legislature - August 7, 2011

storm burst over downtown in front of the lake fountain

Flower bed thunderstorm

Storm as seen from Starbucks in south Regina - Aug 6, 2011 - 1:46pm CST #SKSTORM

Trying to keep up with all the action today, new video clips:
1:47pm
2:09pm

Follow @jaredmysko
CPSC (Canadian Prairie Storm Chasers on Facebook
and twitter chaser list
for most up to date action and contact Environment Canada if you see severe weather, and especially, stay safe!

Storm as seen from Starbucks in south Regina - Aug 6, 2011 - 2:09pm CST

Lamborgini, Porche, Ferrari, another Lamborgini and Storm Clouds - That is how my day started.

Northern Lights (aurora borealis) August 6, 2011

Northern Lights (aurora borealis) August 6, 2011 #skstorm Regina, Saskatchewan

Northern Lights (aurora borealis) August 6, 2011 #skstorm Regina, Saskatchewan

Northern Lights (aurora borealis) August 6, 2011 #skstorm Regina, Saskatchewan

Northern Lights (aurora borealis) August 6, 2011 #skstorm Regina, Saskatchewan

Mammatus Forming Timelapse

Double Rainbow

Mammatus Clouds, Rainbow And A Weak Funnel

A surprise line of thunderstorms popped up this afternoon across southern Saskatchewan including this one that went south of the city of Regina. Mammatus clouds could be seen over Wascana Lake as well as some lowering clouds but the storm barely left us more than a drop of water. It was a great day in the "Land of the Living Skies" as the structure of this storm looked impressive. Possibly even a weak funnel cloud to the south west as you can see in this video.

more mammatus clouds

Another peice of the storm. Still brewing to our south, this storm totally missed the city.

This is just part of my next, best timelapse video. Storm coming over Wascana Lake, Regina, Saskatchewan - August 2, 2011

SUPER SPECTACULAR! Mamatus Clouds Over The Saskatchewan Legislature - August 2, 2011

Rainbow Under Mammatus Clouds (Enhanced)

Weekend Round up/Serious Situation For Manitoba Today

Great chance for tornadoes today in Manitoba and south. Especially areas in Minnesota as they are under a 10% tornado risk by SPC. At the moment radar indicates a very strong and discrete cell just east of Yorkton, Sk. Severe thunderstorm warnings are posted by Environment Canada already and there are watches up for all three prairie provinces. Danger area to watch is definitely the Foxwarren, MB radar especially Dauphin over the next hour.

In other news, in case you missed it over the weekend. Regina got hit with 115km/hr winds Friday at midnight and clean-up continues today as city crews were on our street picking up the fallen branches and trimming trees. I was out by the lake filming the storm as it came in and also took video of an interview I did for Global news on Saturday morning as well as some lumberjack coverage that afternoon. Here is the highlight video from all the action on Saturday in Regina:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qiIW7vysYg

And on Sunday a tornado was filmed in Russia that caused major damage, killed one and injured several others. Here is that video:



Jared the Lumberjack

Regina Thunderstorm Highlights and Cleanup

A severe thunderstorm hits Regina, Saskatchewan at midnight packing 115km/hr winds as reported by Environment Canada at the Regina International Airport. Knocking large trees down and causing power outages. Footage by @jaredmysko http://www.canadianprairiestorms.blogspot.com

more tree damage

more tree damage

Very Large Tree Downed By Last Nights Storm In Regina #skstorm

Damaging Thunderstorm Hits Regina - July 30, 2011 [FULL VERSION]

Damaging Thunderstorm Hits Regina - July 30, 2011 [Part One]

Storm Front Just Before It Hit The City Of Regina - July 30, 2011

Large Tree Downed By Midnight Storm In Regina - July 30, 2011

July 26, 2011 Thunderstorm in Regina

Took a ride around the park on my bike once again, storm chasing cyclist! This was a quick little thundershower that produced some gusty winds and heavy rain for a few minutes. Nothing too serious but many other storm cells around souther Saskatchewan are much stronger including a tornado warned system just north of the city. It haas been very dry around Regina these past few weeks so this rain is very welcome especially for my garden!

My Trip To Pratt Lake Saskatchewan

This is a compilation of clips over the past week from the full moon to a beautiful sunset before storms on July 18 and 19th caused a huge blackout and damage claims by SGI of over 500 to vehicles in Saskatchewan's lake country. 104 mm hail was reported by the Saskatoon Star Phoenix at Waskesu Lake which is just north east of Pratt Lake. Our canopy was ripped off the trailor and we found three large trees downed across one of the the roads in the area. After a couple days of extreme heat, this storm brought severe lighting and extreme wind. The straight lined winds were at least 100km/hr in our area but only lasted about a half an hour after midnight before calming to about 70km/hr with heavy lighting. This was the worst of 3 storms in 24 hours, the first earlier in the evening of Monday, July 18 was the tornado warned storm just to our south. Another storm around 4am cut power for 12 hours the following day for most of central Saskatchewan. This was an incredible adventure at the lake for sure! Topping off the video is footage of a Bald Eagle and a Loon on the lake found while cayaking during the calm after the storms.

Pratt Lake Saskatchewan Storm - July 19, 2011

This is one of many lighting shots taken just after the storm passed by after midnight that caused a huge blackout and damage claims by SGI of over 500 to vehicles in Saskatchewan's lake country. 104 mm hail was reported by the Saskatoon Star Phoenix at Waskesu Lake which is just north east of Pratt Lake. Our canopy was ripped off the trailor and we found three large trees downed across one of the the roads in the area. After a couple days of extreme heat, this storm brought severe lighting and extreme wind. The straight lined winds were at least 100km/hr in our area but only lasted about a half an hour after midnight before calming to about 70km/hr with heavy lighting. This was the worst of 3 storms in 24 hours, the first earlier in the evening of Monday, July 18 was the tornado warned storm just to our south. Another storm around 4am cut power for 12 hours the following day for most of central Saskatchewan. This was an incredible adventure at the lake for sure!
 

Little Lightning Storm Over Regina, Saskatchewan

Video from last night - More storms today

Here is the full version of that close call from last night where Greg Johnson and company experienced the lighting strike of a lifetime! (Includes audio, replay and a slide show of video frames)



Today, the storm from last night is still going north past Saskatoon and Prince Albert. It is now feeding new severe cells to its south east around Lloydminster. Severe thunderstorm watches are active for much of central Alberta and south eastern Saskatchewan including city of Regina. Storms should begin to emerge south of Regina later today.

Slide Show Of Lightning Strike

INCREDIBLY LIGHTNING STRIKE LESS THAN HALF A SECOND AWAYYY!!!!! (LANGUAGE WARNING) via @CANADOGREG Southern Saskatchewan Assiniboine Region 9:45pm July 13, 2011

Greg Johnson's LIVE Storm Chasing Feed - Southern Saskatchewan

These guys nearly got blown away by super wind gusts an hour ago. They are now just west of Old Wives Lake keeping in front of the storm. There is no visible rotation on this storm but linear wind gusts (approx 80km/hr) and large hail make it very dangerous. It is heading in the direction of the city of Regina at the moment and should arrive here around 8 or 9pm as it is moving very slowly north east. Severe thunderstorm warnings have just been issued for Moose Jaw regions.

UPDATE: Check out Nick Schenher's feed as he is also on this same storm, much closer though.


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Storm Chasing - South of Avonlea - July 8, 2011 - Full Report

Chase Report:
As other storm chasers began to get set up early in the day in areas such as North Dakota and Weyburn regions, Gunjan Sinha and Jared Mysko waited for things to take shape. Our patience finally paid off after having lunch at Ogema, Saskatchewan. The same lonely cell that was over Assiniboia for most of the afternoon continued to form nice and slowly and we got in position just in time. A severe thunderstorm warning was issued by Environment Canada minutes after our arrival south of Avonlea. The cell began to grow quickly at that point and dropped some heavy rain in the area. We got follow it only a few kilometres before it split apart and merged into a large supercell north of Regina. From 4pm to about 7pm it only moved less that 100 kilometres (maybe 50) from its original position and indicated some decent rotation. For such a short trip, this was absolutely fantastic way to spend a Friday. Please watch and comment on the the videos as they include new timelapse photography with a slideshow embeded with video clips in HD quality.

Storm Chasing - South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan - Part 4 of 4

Storm Chasing - South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan - Part 3 of 4

Storm Chasing - South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan - Part 2 of 4

Storm Chasing - South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan - Part 1 of 4

Storm Cloud South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan This Afternoon

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Storm Cloud South of Avonlea, Saskatchewan This Afternoon

These pictures were sent with Picasa, from Google.
Try it out here: http://picasa.google.com/

Lightning, Cameras, Action!

Here we go!

LIVE STORM CHASING FEEDS FROM SOUTH EAST SASKATCHEWAN


Video clips at Ustream




Live Video streaming by Ustream



Also, me and the shadow hunter will be chasing this afternoon as things progress...

Stay tuned to the Storm Discussion Links for more...

Regina Sky Cam - July 8, 2011

Tornadoes In Alberta - FULL REPORT

Today was a great start to a forecasted two day event for severe weather across the Canadian Prairies. Several tornadoes were reported in central Alberta this evening. Stories and photos are just starting to come across the wire.

Global TV Edmonton

Calgary Herald

Also, as a treat we got to watch our first live stream of a storm chaser on the storm near Red Deer just as reports came in from RCMP of a tornado near Inisfail, AB watch and click on the highlights.

This just in:

Bergen Tornado - July 7th, 2011


and so much more posted on facebook, yahoo and twitter...

Tomorrow: Possible Moderate Risk Area centred over Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Many chasers headed to the area including Discovery Channel, @stormpics @FindTheTornado @reedtimmerTVN @xtrmtorndotours @canadogreg and likely many more...

Sun Setting Over Regina

 

EXTREME WEATHER TODAY/TOMORROW

Reading tweets from American storm chasers "wishing they were in Saskatchewan RIGHT NOW." Discovery Channel, Reed Timmer, @stormpics @FindTheTornado @reedtimmerTVN @xtrmtorndotours all heading this way... storms going apeshit in sw SK atm. Rosetown/Saskatoon should be under PDS (Particularly Dangerous Situation) forget the warnings, GET READY NOW!

BONUS SOLAR STORM: Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis)

Gunjan The Shadow Hunter - Part 2

Storm Chase Jun29_30_2011 [ FULL VERSION]

New Videos! Chaser Convergence Right Now In Manitoba - Lightning Last Night

Storm Chasing In Manitoba Today - Sweet Lightning Shot Over Moosimin

Gunjan and I headed out early yesterday straight east into the middle
of boiling soup of weather in south east Saskatchewan and waited all
day for the cap to break. After waiting in Grenfell for most of the
afternoon we moved on to Broadview and sat there for the evening.
Finally at 11:30pm the show got us going. Lightning intensified slowly
at first but soon the power began to flicker off at the Hotel lounge
where we waited. Shelf clouds were visible as we got on the highway as
sudden wind gusts made it clear that we had to move east. We found a
clearing and pulled over and took some video and photos of the storm
that was actually chasing us down. We did this a few times until
finding a rest stop on the Manitoba side of the border. The storm on
radar was most intense when it crossed the highway over Moosimin and
since it was moving at 70 km/hr north east, it was time to abandon the
chase and rest up for the next day.

Today, the forecast says large hail is the main threat if the cap
breaks, hopefully earlier today maybe around 6pm(CST) 5pm(SST). There
is a small probability of one or two tornadoes. Hope I've got the
times right but so far its been a very fun adventure. Met a lady that
showed me photos of turtles in the area which she promised to send me.
Much more stories to tell and videos will be posted later. We are
targeting south of Winnipeg somewhere close to the Manitoba/MN/ND
borders.

Storm Chasers Convergence - Something Brewing...

It was an almost ominously giddy get together for some of us, the first time meeting up with fellow weather enthusiasts this evening at Regina's Brewster's restaurant. Under clear skies and hot humid air moving in, about 15 or so members of Canadian Prairie Storm Chasers exchanged stories and forecast predictions while severe thunderstorms began to creep across the international border. Warnings are still up for south western Saskatchewan and since night fall a massive cell has continued to grow towards us. With a forecast high of 32C in Regina tomorrow, plans are for many of us to meet up early tomorrow and exchange thoughts before going out to chase down some tornadoes in southern Saskatchewan. The set up seems all too perfect for an outbreak of significant storms in the area, possibly further east and into Manitoba. Truly high time in the season for tornadic thunderstorms to occur which mainly runs on the Canadian Prairies from June to August. The peak of the season being the first two weeks in July. It is exciting and a bit scary to think what the next couple of days may hold. Safety and relaying relevant information will be our top priority as storm spotters and emergency relay operators.

Forecast - 6am June 28, 2011

I really doubt there will be any significant thunderstorms or tornado-fests over the next 3 days but some storm chasers sure are trying to make a big deal out of this. There is no deep low, no steep gradient, very little wind shear, only hot temperatures and extreme humidity. Of course, considering that I am always wrong, watch the forecast magically change. Current conditions never lie though. Its all clear on the prairies for as far as the eye can see. -Jared @ 6am June 28, 2011

UPDATE: Okay, I lied. According to this wind shear map, we are on the extreme side of shear. I should study a bit more about how they calculate shear, back to school for me.

UPDATE #2
"Vertical wind shear is the second critical factor in the determination of thunderstorm type and potential storm severity. Vertical shear, or the change of winds with height, interacts dynamically with thunderstorms to either enhance or diminish vertical draft strengths."

Source: University of Illinios