Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm watches for a number of communities including Saskatoon, Regina, Estevan, Weyburn, The Battlefords, Unity, Swift Current, Outlook and Watrous. A severe thunderstorm warning has also been issued for the Moose Jaw, Pense, Central Butte and Craik areas.

Below is the statement posted to Environment Canada’s website:

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon and move eastward. The risk of severe thunderstorms is expected to last into the evening.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

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.