Major Storm Damage In Lethbridge Today

Environment Canada reports that they recorded wind gusts over 130km/hr in Lethbridge, Alberta this evening. Shortly after 8pm reported began to flood timelines on Facebook and Twitter with damage photos all around the city. Media and others had earlier called on forecasters and storm spotters to stop scaring people with warnings of possible severe weather and warnings and reports were as a result much slower and less specific. More on this tomorrow as another round of the usual summer storms continue into Saskatchewan and Manitoba.





Here is a collection of storm damage photos on twitter and CTV Lethbridge has a large collection of photos as well. Also a group on Facebook called Alberta Storm Chasers always has updated information on storms in that province.

That's WILD!!! RT @AZTECMASONRY: @CTVLethbridge crazy weather blew this trailer right over!! pic.twitter.com/jsfReKSgkX #Lethbridge #yql
— CTV Lethbridge (@CTVLethbridge) July 18, 2013

RT @lethtraffic: “@cher_herd: Centerline RV right beside my parents house. #yql #lethbridge @GlobalLeth @lethnews pic.twitter.com/a2MTlj25PI”
— Lethbridge News (@lethnews) July 18, 2013

tornado in lethbridge did some serious damage #byeroof #neighbour #yql #lethbridge #tornado pic.twitter.com/TG5X3fE5hv
— melissa (@melshep) July 18, 2013

Lethbridge "tornado", I'm calling it, destroyed my backyard play set #yql #scary #verysadforamelia pic.twitter.com/bmESTBj2Ij
— Andy Tyslau (@AndyTyslau) July 18, 2013

Thunderstorms Today Around Regina

Finally caught a lightning bolt! Huge storm to see from Douglas Park after I got off work, a bit late to the party but glad I jumped on the bike in time. There was a large number of people watching the storm on top of the hill. This footage is from between 5 and 6pm. The video is sped up 10x (quickly edited due to time constraints) and shows how volatile this system was today with dangerous looking areas in all directions but not a drop of rain and only a few strong wind gusts.

Tornadoes And Large Hail Today

Tornado Warning For Estevan - Tennis Ball Size Hail Reported

More hail from Ralph #skstorm pic.twitter.com/1QC67tDQUE
— Dean Altwasser (@DeanAlt) July 13, 2013

@weathernetwork wicked hail by Weyburn, SK 2:30pm #skstorm pic.twitter.com/uWMF3ws99Q
— Craig Hilts (@prairiestorm71) July 13, 2013

Storm Outlook Next Week - (Very Low Risk)

Over the next five days it will be all clear for most of Alberta and Saskatchewan except for Monday. Manitoba will get most of the action Saturday, save the extreme south east corner of Saskatchewan. No major systems are showing up on the forecast models next week besides what is heading into northern Ontario tonight. That major system is now long gone and will allow for a much more calm series of days with little or no storms. On Monday severe thunderstorms are expected for a large area of the prairies including southern Saskatchewan but these storms will be much more localized than the previous system with little danger of widespread damage.

Updates will be very limited due to work commitments next week.

It seems the peak system of the year has passed so please enjoy your summer and see you next year!

Side note: having a look at the moon phases, there could be one last round of major storms around the full moon phase (July 18 up cycle to July 22 down cycle to July 26) which could also explain why the cap held and baffled many storm chasers yesterday. Much respect to the pros, they got it right.

If I am wrong again, sorry for bothering, keep in mind this is all for science. Thank you for your input.

Jared Mysko