Severe hailstorms and extreme weather swept across Saskatchewan last weekend, destroying strawberry crops near Saskatoon and causing localized flooding in Swift Current.
The storm decimated strawberry patches at Prairie Pathways, just outside Saskatoon.
Owner Dan Erlandson reported that hail shredded the $50,000 crop down to the crown, stripping all foliage and berries.
“It's really disheartening. … There's a pit in your stomach when you see something like that.
You spend all winter planning and hoping,” Erlandson said.
The plants were planted in early May, representing months of anticipated production that vanished in minutes.
“It's a year's worth of hope and you lose it in 15 minutes,” he added.
Replanting is impossible because no crowns are available this late in the season. Regrowth by September is the only optimistic outcome.
“I think that would be a win and a way to salvage it a little bit,” Erlandson said.
In contrast, Peter Rhodes, a 93-year-old farmer operating a u-pick berry farm on Saskatoon's west side, avoided losses despite a cold spring delaying his harvest.
“Everything's a benefit to me,” Rhodes said, expressing optimism that his raspberries, blackcurrants, and sea buckthorn would ripen soon with warm weather.
New Storm and Heat Warnings
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued severe thunderstorm watches on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, for southwestern Saskatchewan as new storm systems move east from Alberta.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” the agency stated.
Meteorologist Chloe Katsademas warned that the incoming system carries significant energy, potentially bringing hail up to six centimeters in diameter and wind gusts up to 100 km/h.
“With the system that's just been through, there is a lot of available moisture in the region, as well as a lot of energy with this system,” Katsademas said.
Following the storms, a special weather statement warned of an impending heat wave starting Friday afternoon.
“Conditions will be particularly muggy this weekend, especially in regions along and south of the Trans-Canada Highway, with humidex values approaching 45 on Sunday,” according to the weather agency.
