A tornado watch has been issued for Saskatoon and surrounding areas in central Saskatchewan including Humboldt, Martensville, Warman and Rosthern.

Tornado watches are issued when conditions are favourable for one to form.

At 4:30 Friday afternoon, Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for the North Battleford and Unity area.

Below is the message from Environment Canada regarding the tornado warning.

This severe thunderstorm is located between Paynton and Delmas, moving east at 20 km/h. This storm has a history of producing tornadoes. This storm is also capable of producing large hail up to tennis ball size.

This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately.

Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet. Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.

Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors! This thunderstorm is capable of producing significant destruction. Do not wait to see a funnel cloud. Seek shelter immediately if the thunderstorm is approaching your area.

Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to SKstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #SKStorm.

In recent weeks, several tornadoes have touched down in the province including at least three confirmed on June 29th.

The latest weather information can be found on Environment Canada’s website.

Below is the message issued by Environment Canada regarding the tornado watch…

Tornado watch in effect

Severe thunderstorms are forecast to develop this afternoon along the Yellowhead Highway corridor, some of which may spawn a tornado. Large hail is also expected, with hail up to the size of golf balls, and possibly larger.

A moist unstable air mass in the vicinity of a low pressure system currently situated over the North Battleford region is providing conditions favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms.

This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.

Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to SKstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #SKStorm.