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!