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Tornado warnings for Assiniboia and region

Favourable conditions for severe thunderstorms in the Assiniboia-Gravelbourg area, which in turn might produce tornadoes, were reported on July 7. Environment Canada said severe thunderstorms would develop later in afternoon towards the evening.

Favourable conditions for severe thunderstorms in the Assiniboia-Gravelbourg area, which in turn might produce tornadoes, were reported on July 7. Environment Canada said severe thunderstorms would develop later in afternoon towards the evening.

These storms were predicted to appear as isolated weather patterns, prior to combining later in the evening and overnight.

During this initial convective period when these storms fell into line, an enhanced risk for tornadoes was predicted to form alongside these thunderstorms.

“There is the risk for a long track tornado with the development of these supercells,” Environment Canada reported.

Environment Canada had issued a series of weather watches for southern Saskatchewan for July 7, including Moose Jaw, Assiniboia, Gravelbourg, Coronach, Leader, Shaunavon, Maple Creek and Swift Current – all these areas were under a tornado watch, according to Environment Canada.

Environment Canada directed people to take cover if threatening weather approached.

Also, Environment Canada recommended people to head indoors to a room on the lowest floor and to keep away from outside walls and windows.

Basements, bathrooms, stairwells or interior closets were judged to be the safest areas in the advent of an approaching tornado.

People were further advised to leave shelters such as mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelters and move into stronger buildings if possible, if severe weather arrived near their proximate vicinities.

Individuals in outdoor areas who were unable to seek shelter in stormy weather were warned to seek lower ground and to shield their heads from flying debris.