Saskatchewan Road Conditions

With already several snow storms affecting southern Saskatchewan in November, today the temperature got up to +3 degrees Celsius. It was a nice break and some of the snow packed roads began to melt but only just enough to prepare the ground for another thick layer. Wind warnings have just been issued for the City of Regina as gust of up to 90km/hr will sweep over the city as another heavy band of precipitation dumps over us once again. It was a weekly event in November and December seems to be bringing much of the same. Please stay safe when walking the icy side walks and use extreme caution on city side roads. Main routes are relatively clear except during snowfall. If planning to risk it and try out the deadly Saskatchewan winter highways, please check with the Highway Hotline first. They have a great interactive map of Saskatchewan highways updated in real time, available for mobile as well as desktop.

Saskatchewan Highway Hotline Links:
http://www.highways.gov.sk.ca/road-conditions/

Map Report of Road Conditions (High Bandwidth)

Photo courtesy of Saskatoon's The Bull Radio Station and the Mark Michaels Show from Highway #2 this afternoon!

YouTube Channel Updated

Added some new features including the "Store" where you can purchase music and merchandise as well as a new video playlist called "For Lightning Lovers". All on my YouTube channel which has now reached over 570 thousand views! Thank you! http://www.youtube.com/user/saskatoonscanner

Hurricane Leslie Heading For Nova Scotia

Tropical storm Leslie has upgraded to hurricane strength in the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to track towards Nova Scotia. Landfall is expected on Monday, September 10th maintaining a category 2 hurricane status. Another tropical storm, Michael has formed further east and looks to move in the same general direction and possibly combine with Hurricane Leslie. This situation will need to be closely monitored, check the USA's National Hurricane Center for updates as well as Canadian Hurricane Centre for more on this.

The weather on the Canadian Prairies has very much cooled off as harvest season is fully under way. Rain and thunder showers are expected today over western Saskatchewan but no major amounts expected. Farmers are hoping for it to stay dry enough to get the crops off on time and so far it seems things are going well. According to the latest crop report by Agriculture Saskatchewan, harvest is well ahead of the 5 year average and the weather is expected to stay fairly dry into next week.

- Jared Mysko

Exciting Forecast

Please press play on the youtube video below for increased dramatic effect:

Here is my official prediction for this weeks weather: Hurricane Isaac will suffer an instantly fatal blow as soon as it touches the burnt up southern states. The humidity and winds of the gulf stream will fly north, magnetically connecting with the Saskatchewan wetlands. Super boiling hot air will explode out of eastern Saskatchewan, from Flin Flon to South Dakota and Minnesota. Godzilla himself will rise up out of Brandon and eat Winnipeg for an appetizer rip across the great lakes states and take a big shit on southern Ontario and Quebec. This will all occur over the next 5 days whilst I dust out my computer. At least that's what the models told me. :) Please do not take this forecast as fact, I just wanted to make it sound exciting! (Slight risk tomorrow lol)

Hurricane Isaac Landfall In New Orleans - Forecast Model

Note: Currently not yet a Hurricane, Tropical Storm Isaac is forecast to reach hurricane strength tomorrow off the Florida coast.

Hurricane Isaac make landfall in New Orleans on Tuesday according to the latest forecast models. This should mainly be a wind and rain event for the south while winds aloft spin counter clockwise over the north, causing a possible severe weather outbreak in Saskatchewan and Manitoba on Tuesday and Wednesday. Forcast model images courtesy of College Of Dupage:
http://weather.cod.edu/forecast/
Commentary and forecast model deciphering by Jared Mysko 
http://canadianprairiestorms.blogspot.com/

Risk Of Tornadoes Today - Map

Strong thunderstorms today with a risk of tornadoes, heavy downpours and flash flooding into this evening.

Today's Map

Mostly clear today, lots of rain for central Saskatchewan on Friday, could be some storms.

Douglas Park Lightning Storm - August 22, 2012

Update with photos:

Sometimes the little storms are the most beautiful, this was certainly the case last night as a non-severe lightning storm rolled by just south of Regina and was perfectly captured from the top a the Douglas Park hill over looking the city of Regina, Wascana Lake, Conexus Centre of the Arts and the Saskatchewan Legislature. The storm structure, intense lightning, unreal sunset and all the colors over looking the lake was a great way to cap a great year of storms in Saskatchewan.

Today's Risk Map

Tornado Watches have been issued for Lloydminster as swirling upper level winds should generate supercells later this afternoon. Strong heating from the south east and moisture in central Saskatchewan combined with a passing low pressure system is creating the ingredients for tornadic supercells in western Saskatchewan and these storms should build up in strength over night into southern Manitoba tomorrow.

Alberta - Today's Severe Thunderstorm Risk Map

Storms are beginning to come over the Rocky Mountains with a low pressure system that is entering hot dry air in Alberta. Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for much of east central British Columbia and west central Alberta. Another area of precipitation is entering from Montana but carries no watches or warnings as yet. Strong microbursts are possible this afternoon and into the evening as the low crosses Alberta. A microburst is an intense downdraft from a thunderstorm that often causes localized wind damage and flash flooding.

Severe Weather Forecast This Week - Storms On Wednesday?

As the weather continues to warm up this week, temperatures will peak at 31C on Tuesday and Wednesday in Regina with 33C in Swift Current and Moose Jaw on Tuesday. Storms currently in the central Alberta foothills should begin to develop further south and east into much of southern Alberta on Tuesday. Wednesday could be Saskatchewan's turn to see thunderstorms, possibly severe, tornadic unlikely. It should clear out Thursday while maintaining temperatures in the high 20s giving another peak, then big drop in heat on Friday night when the chance of stronger storms is likely in parts of southern Saskatchewan. We will monitor this situation as it develops. It has been a very calm August thus far in Saskatchewan and that could change since no hurricanes or tropical storms have taken off yet in the Atlantic and storms in the southern states are dissipating. Its gotta storm somewhere!

Storm Forecast - Season Wrap Up - Twister Tue(2)sday!

Strong upper level winds are forcing Arctic air into the Canadian Prairies and even further south past Montana today causing a strong temperature gradient across North Dakota and into Minnesota. An outbreak of severe weather is expected in an unusually large area covering 8 states around Minnesota today. This should mainly be a straight line damaging wind event for those areas and may reach parts of extreme southern Manitoba.

The long term forecast suggests that we will gradually warm up into the weekend in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba with CAPEs (Convective Available Potential Energy) returning on Sunday. Southern Alberta could see marginally severe thunderstorms on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday with Saskatchewan and Manitoba added into the mix on Wednesday. None of these days will there be any widespread activity or tornadoes. The storm season truly seems to have come to an abrupt end this month of August but don't count on this trend continuing. Things could change abruptly if it ever dries out. Tornadoes have been known to occur as late as the beginning of September but are considered very rare at this time of year. Overall things will depend on how hurricane season develops in the Atlantic, if there are hurricanes then we will see calm clear sunny skies in Saskatchewan. As predicted many months ago, it looks like this will be one of the most productive and profitable harvests ever for farmers in Saskatchewan.

As for the Canadian Prairie Storms Network, I would personally like to thank everyone involved for an amazing season. Certainly one the most active years on record with tons incredibly documented footage of thankfully injury and fatality free tornadoes. The experimental forecast map was a popular and useful tool and I will continue to advance my knowledge and education along its lines. Twitter and especially the Twitter list was another great tool for relaying information and sharing footage of the many chasers and spotters that participated. Environment Canada, The Weather Network, Global, CTV and CBC and various radio and newspaper networks made for a great team, together we will all continue to learn, respect and appreciate the beauty and strength of the weather on the Canadian Prairies. I look forward to the future and a possible rehashing season ending get together with fellow storm chasers sometime soon. It will be a great time to sit back and have an epic brain storm about what to do with all the great footage taken by so many in such a short year. A feature length, big screen movie about the year could be worthy of the name Twister Tue(2)sday!

"MUST WATCH VIDEO" (and LISTEN!)

INSANE WINDS NEARLY KILL VIDEOGRAPHER ON DEERFOOT TRAIL IN CALGARY TODAY! WATCH TO THE END!!! (The music goes with the dangerously swaying sign, this is extra epic!)



http://yfrog.com/ghi97mycbcrsefjucvmynphhz

Severe Thunderstorm Risk Continues In Southern Alberta [Risk Map]

As forecasters yet again predicted thunderstorms for south central Saskatchewan, the weather decided it wasn't finished with Alberta. Yet another round of severe weather crossed the Albertan foothills through Olds and passed Calgary with a target set on Brooks at this hour. After anticipating thunderstorms this afternoon over Regina either late this afternoon or evening, things have shifted so far west that it doesn't seem likely we will hear thunder until maybe late at night if at all in the Queen City. A large mass of cloud cover prevented any heating or convection to occur in southern Saskatchewan while Alberta gets hammered once again by strong thunderstorms.

Storms Developing In South West Saskatchewan

Severe thunderstorm warnings and watches have been issued for areas of Swift Current, Cypress Hills regions in south west Saskatchewan this evening. Wind gusts could top 100km/hr with these thunderstorms and could last well into the evening or overnight. Moving east at 30km/hr, storms are expected to stay south of the Trans Canada Highway affecting extreme southern parts of Saskatchewan tonight.

There is a chance of storms again tomorrow but nothing major as surface winds are marginal, deep moisture pool is lacking and heat is not extreme in any areas.

Storm System On The Move - [New Map]

After several days of storms staying put in the mountains and foothills of Alberta, the system finally moved on  into Saskatchewan this morning. Being pushed by extreme heat in the west, Val Marie currently sits at a cozy 35C while Regina is right in the humidity soup at 23C. Extreme instability is now present over eastern Saskatchewan and storm cells the north are beginning to emerge. Over the next few hours, watches should be issued and a risk of a tornado is possible between the Yellowhead and Trans Canada highways in eastern Saskatchewan. The cities of Regina and Yorkton are included in this risk however unpredictable weather can be as we get closer to hurricane season in the Atlantic Ocean. Hurricane often suck all of the elements of storm action from Saskatchewan giving us very calm and moderate weather. Today will be different.

Today's Risk Map

A Compilation Of Wildlife And Thunderstorms

Severe weather outlook for this week

South east Saskatchewan and south western Manitoba could be in for an outbreak of severe weather on Sunday. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday will all see active weather across most of the prairies. There will be no more updates here until I get back from the lake. I need to step back for a few days and take a break. Please refer to Environment Canada watches and warnings and keep up with the latest action via the Facebook group and Twitter list. Thanks and stay safe!

Weird face on the current CAPE image!?

Kenaston

Davidson

View from Chamberlain and Craik saskatchewan

Radar. Echo tops and visible

Storm Chasing

On Board and prepared for intercept! Expecting to see a storm after 7pm between Davidson and Saskatoon. This is just a test post to see if the STC Bus Wifi network can handle photos and video. It's the safest way to storm chase!

Today's Risk Map - Long Term Outlook

There is a chance of severe thunderstorms today, especially in western Saskatchewan, however these storms are not expected to be very strong or long lasting. Hail and heavy rain with flash flooding will be the main feature with a very slight risk of tornadoes.

On Sunday this system shifts south east into southern Manitoba and the same type of scenario is expected there. Monday it starts back in Alberta again and gains energy as it crosses the prairies Tuesday and Wednesday.

A very intense low pressure system suddenly appears over central Saskatchewan on Friday August 3rd which is expected to be another tornado outbreak and this time as and inland cyclone. High winds with extreme spinning action over south east Saskatchewan will certainly be a cause for concern. This low will cover most of the province and it is too early to be sure of what will happen but its always good to know these things well in advance. Non the less, it will be one of the most active weeks this year for severe weather. Expect the unexpected as historically some of the most damaging thunderstorms have hit this time of year.

Latest Risk Map

New Storm System Begins In Alberta Friday - Risk Map

North and central areas of Alberta will see storms begin to filter through the Rocky Mountains of BC and onto the Canadian Prairies. These storms will begin as scattered mini cellular storms with hail and heavy rains the main feature. A supercell with tornado potential can not be ruled out later in the day around Red Deer but for now it is expected to be large hail as the main problem. These storms will strengthen overnight moving south east into southern Saskatchewan where a severe weather outbreak is possible Saturday night. Sunday could see yet another increase in storm energy over areas of Winnipeg and west into south eastern Saskatchewan. The whole scenario seems to repeat itself Monday through Wednesday with temperatures reaching above 30C, storm potential will be very high. This situation is being monitored very closely. The possibility of chasing over the next few days is being strongly considered since the season is now peaking. The chance of seeing a tornado dwindles dramatically after the first week of August so this could be the last or second last chance to intercept a supercell, lightning show or tornado. After seeing the video of near baseball size hail near Cardston, Alberta last night, we will have to be extra careful in case of any surprises. Storms can get very very dangerous at this time of year.

Wicked Cardston Hail Storm [Added a new video]

Cardston is in the extreme south of Alberta, this storm has now crossed the international border into Montana. All warnings and watches have ended. This is likely only the beginning of another round of severe weather to cross the Canadian prairies with a strong set up for Saskatchewan on Saturday, peaking yet again on Tuesday! Be prepared for the worst!

2012 YEAR OF TORNADOES IN SASKATCHEWAN (video playlist)

Tornado Tuesday - Part 3 - Frequency Increasing!

What started on June 15th, dubbed by CBC at the time as "Saskatchewan's Day Of Tornadoes" would soon turn out to be only the beginning of what is turning out to be the most active years on record for the province.
Today's Story from CBC
 Today another round of amazing footage came in as the low pressure system crossed central Saskatchewan causing tornadoes to spawn around the city of Regina. According to Global Regina, double the normal number of tornadoes have already been confirmed this year after yet another busy day today where 3 more have already been confirmed to have touched down in 3 seperate areas of today's system. This suggests that each tornadic cell may have produced multiple touchdowns which could increase the overall number. It doesn't really matter all that much the exact number of tornadoes but what does matter is that they are increasing in frequency as summer tears on. Instead of storms happening once a week as they started out in June, it is now up to two or three times a week and damage reports are also increasing. This still leaves more than a month to go in the most dangerous time of storm season in Saskatchewan. Forecast models already are showing yet another major outbreak coming up over the weekend with no relief at all in sight from Friday to at least Wednesday, somewhere on the Canadian Prairies there will be major storms and this time all high energy super cellular storms as compared to the past few days of weak low pressure mini cells.

Risk Map - Tonight and Tomorrow

Severe Weather Risk Map for Tonight and Tuesday

Tornadoes are possible over the next 24 hours in southern Saskatchewan with Saskatoon at greatest risk tonight and it will re-fire up again after noon in south east Saskatchewan, including Regina and Yorkton regions.

Tornado Safety - Wadena Video

July 18, 2012
Wadena to Kelvington Tornado Event In Saskatchewan

Craig Hilts of Prairie Fire Photography caught some amazing images of the tornado and resulting curiosity that can sometimes accompany a chase of this kind.

This photo caused a major fire storm of debate on the Facebook group and I thought it was important to document what is going on out there. Children are seen here waiting to see the coming tornado.

In the United States, this type of thing has become very common and the irresponsibility sometimes goes right into the stratosphere of stupidity as seen below:

PLEASE USE COMMON SENSE!

Live streams and experienced storm chasers are out there so you don't have to be. Watch the footage from the safety of your basement during severe weather!

Today's Risk Map

Saskatchewan - Severe Weather Today - Risk Map

Severe weather is expected today in areas from Regina to Melfort and Yorkton regions. Tornadoes may form with some of these storms but are not expected to be very strong. Often though, it is the ones we don't expect that end up doing the most damage so keep an eye on the weather and never underestimate its power!

Tornadoes For Interlakes Manitoba - (Risk Map)

1pm Update: Severe Thunderstorm Watches have been issued and storms are emerging along the International border. Initiation is expected to occur for severe thunderstorms in the triangle of Yorkton, Regina and Brandon.

Humidex advisories have been issued for much of eastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Values are expected to reach 43c in some areas. This factors into the extreme CAPE values, which are now off the chart, beyond maximum measurements in southern Manitoba. The humidex advisory area stops at Regina, where temperatures fall off and severe thunderstorms are added to the local forecast. A slight to moderate risk has been issued by the Prairie Arctic Storm Prediction Centre in south eastern Saskatchewan and southern Manitoba. Currently storms are emerging at the USA border with Manitoba where SPC there has a slight risk with 2% tornado risk. This risk increases slightly further north, in an area between north of Brandon and Winnipeg, south of the interlakes region.

Latest Update - Severe Thunderstorm Watches and Warnings

Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for western Saskatchewan, including Saskatoon. A severe thunderstorm warning for the Biggar, Rosetown area is now active. A large thunderstorm is moving east from there and will collide with a very unstable airmass near Saskatoon towards Yorkton later this afternoon‪. Severe thunderstorm watches are stretching all the way from central Saskatchewan to the foothills of Alberta, tornado watches may be issued soon in eastern Saskatchewan. The clear spot over Quill Lakes will be the trigger for the tornadic cells to emerge with little or no warning .‪ Storm chasers are currently holding their positions near Wynyard in east central Saskatchewan waiting for initiation around 4pm.

Today's Risk Map

The moderate risk area has expanded as expected with the area area around Yorkton holding onto a dangerous threat of several tornadoes today. The most important time of the day will be between 3pm and 9pm with the split occurring around 8pm. Please have a safety plan and be ready!

HEADS UP! Severe Weather EVENT. Strong Tornadoes Forecast for Yorkton Area Tomorrow!

Forecast models have been suggesting that Wednesday will be the day for a possible outbreak of severe weather in southern Saskatchewan and PASPC confirmed this earlier today, issuing a "Moderate Risk" for several tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in south east Saskatchewan, especially around the Yorkton region. After pouring over the latest models and forecast observations, it looks like storms will begin near midnight tonight and come from the south initially, growing in strength as the night turns to morning. A split occurs just after noon Saskatchewan time. This is similar to the June 26th event where we easily caught up to a growing tornadic cell west of Moose Jaw, filming 2 violent tornadoes and witnessing a 3rd rope tornado at extremely close range. The only major difference is that it seems to completely die off at sunset near 9pm without a following squall line. In conclusion, the most dangerous cell should initiate somewhere between Regina and Yorkton around 1pm and split into several tornadic supercells, growing one by one towards well north of Yorkton and moving south east. The cells with the most distinguishable right turning action that do not move north but race east will be the most dangerous. We will continue to monitor and update the situation here as things develop. The next major update will be around 8am and the map will likely be upgraded at that time. Take this time to contact loved ones, secure property and make a safety plan!

Tornado Watch - South East Saskatchewan

A tornado watch has been issued on both sides of the Canadian and USA borders of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and North Dakota. Severe thunderstorms are possible in most southern regions of Saskatchewan and south western Manitoba this evening. Areas around the Estevan region carry a risk of tornadoes.

Raw video: Freak Tornadoes cause chaos in Poland 07.15.12

South Western Saskatchewan - Today's Risk Map

Swift Current to Moose Jaw, Outlook and Humboldt regions have the best chance of severe weather today including tornadoes wrapped in heavy rain. Severe thunderstorm watches have bee issued already for areas of south east BC and south west Alberta. Storms are popping up on radar near Swift Current at this hour and should develop from there today.

Tornado Risk Today In East Central Alberta - Chasers In Pursuit

Storm chasers Gunjan Shadow Hunter, Craig Hilts @prairiestorm71, Justin Hobson @justinhobson85, and Dave Carlson @stormstructure are currently in the tornado watch areas of east central Alberta attempting to intercept gigantic storm cells now in progress! Follow the storm chaser list on twitter for live updates from the field!

Loud Thunder In Regina - Lightning Storm July 11, 2012

Coffee at Atlantis was extra awakening this morning as an intense lightning and thunder storm grew over the city of Regina. Close lightning overhead echoed around the SaskPower building seen across the street facing south. This storm continued to grow into the afternoon eventually soaking the city of Yorkton causing major flooding in the downtown there.

Today's Risk Map

Severe thunderstorms are likely for the City of Regina and most of eastern Saskatchewan. Storms should fire up early today before noon and slowly progress into Manitoba tonight. Main concern will be intense lightning, hail, heavy down pours and flash flooding. Last night, Saskatoon got a wild light show with the local detector peaking at 341 strikes per minute.

Wide Spread Risk Area For Storms (map) / Humidex Advisories

Update: Hail is not likely at all but heavy down pours are as air aloft is above freezing levels at 15k feet according to PSPC.

Severe thunderstorm watches have been issued for several areas this afternoon, including south east BC, Fort Simpson in the North West Territories, north central Alberta and western Saskatchewan. With the extreme heat and low surface winds, storms are expected to be slow movers, heavy down pours, flash flooding and intense lightning producers. Once the maximum heating is reached today, thing may change into the evening and we will update the situation as it happens. Night time cooling could cause some very large storms to emerge in any of these areas. Keep cool and pay attention to updated watches and warnings.

Also, be aware of the humidex advisory for central Saskatchewan, including Lloydminster, Saskatoon, Yorkton as the humidex will reach over 40C today. North Battleford, Regina, Estevan could all be included in the advisory as well as values are already hitting 37C at noon.

Environment Canada Special Weather Statements
Environment Canada Watches and Warnings

June 26, 2012 Tornado Screen Captures

Playing around with the levels and lightning after grabbing screen captures from Tuesday, June 26th tornado west of Moose Jaw. You can actually see in some of these screen captures that the hail was literally going straight across, right in front of my face! 

***

The blur in the above photo is hail whipping across my nose at 150 km/hr! 

Let me know which version you like and prints may be eventually made available!