Regions of southern Saskatchewan, including Regina and its surrounding area, experienced severe thunderstorm conditions as the latest saga plays out in this summer’s storm season. Throughout Thursday afternoon and evening, several parts of the province were placed under severe thunderstorm watches or warnings, including Lumsden, Sask., which received loonie-sized hail. In an alert issued at 3:49 p.m., meteorologists with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) reported they were tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing strong wind gusts and up to nickel sized hail along with heavy rain. The forecast included winds reaching 90 to 110 km/h, and rainfall of 50 to 75 millimetres. The weather service warns that heavy precipitation has the ability to cause flash flooding and reductions in visibility for drivers. Radar shows the thunderstorm travelling northeast at 30 km/h. Communities in the storm’s path as of 4:20 p.m. include Craven, Lumsden, Pense, Disley, Grand Coulee and Tregarva. At 4:16, a tornado warning was issued for the RM of Key West including the communities of Ogema and Kayville. The alerts mark the second consecutive day of severe thunderstorm activity in the province – with widespread tornado and thunderstorm warnings issued Wednesday. At approximately 4:49 p.m., the warnings for Regina and its surrounding areas were cancelled. However, a severe thunderstorm watch remained in place.
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