A severe thunderstorm system struck southwestern Saskatchewan on Sunday night, bringing destructive winds, heavy rain, and large hail to several communities.
The storm cell moved rapidly into the region after developing earlier in Alberta, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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Swift Current experienced the storm's core around 10 p. m.
local time, with quarter-sized hail reported during the intense 15-minute event, as noted by swiftcurrentonline. com.
Meteorologists tracked the system moving eastward at about 70 km/h. The storm maintained its intensity for hours as it crossed provincial borders.
"The storm that hit Swift Current hit Calgary about 10 hours ago, and started on the Alberta foothills about 12 hours ago," said Brian Luzny, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada.
"It's a very fast-moving storm. It's aided by a jet stream."
Recorded Wind Gusts and Temperature Drop
Preliminary data from weather stations showed peak wind gusts of 120 km/h near Leader. At 10:15 p.
m. , the official station near Swift Current Airport recorded a gust of 113 km/h.
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"It's been so long-lived. It's gone through several different areas of moisture replenishing," Luzny said.
"It's just so powerful."
The storm had previously dropped tennis-ball-sized hail on Alberta communities before crossing into Saskatchewan. Forecasters noted the unusual longevity of the system.
"Today was quite a big setup for severe weather all the way from Alberta, southern Saskatchewan, and southern Manitoba.
This is one storm that won't stop," Luzny added.
The storm caused a drastic atmospheric shift, with temperatures in Swift Current dropping from 18°C to 11°C within 15 minutes.
As of 11 p. m.
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Sunday, Environment and Climate Change Canada had not received any official reports of property damage from southwestern Saskatchewan.
