Laressa Dueck Marengere took a photo of a funnel cloud taken near Bethune on May 22. (Image Credit: 980 CJME via Laressa Dueck Marengere/ Submitted)

By Gillian Massie - CJME News

Tornado season

First Saskatchewan tornado of 2026 spins north of Belle Plaine

May 23, 2026 | 12:24 PM

Environment Canada is confirming a landspout tornado swirled around Belle Plaine on Friday afternoon, marking the first recorded tornado in Saskatchewan this year.

Several people messaged 980 CJME with photos of the tornado, saying it began twisting through around 1:30 p.m., and lasted no longer than 10 minutes.

Environment Canada meteorologist Matt Loney said are landspouts are generally considered weaker than traditional tornadoes, but people should still keep their distance.

“You really don’t have a sense of how strong it’s going to be,” he said. “I would certainly stay away from them as much as you can.”

Trischa Doucette saw the tornado while driving on Highway 11. (Image Credit: 980 CJME via Trischa Doucette/ Submitted)

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The weather office had warned that conditions were favourable for the development of funnel clouds churning up landspout tornadoes for a large part of central and eastcentral Saskatchewan.

“Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous,” read the weather advisory. “They can be strong enough to topple trees, damage roofs or toss debris short distances.”

Loney said the low pressure system on Friday wasn’t organized like the severe tornado-producing systems.

“They’re likely not to be a tornado that everybody associates with a major storm system,” he said.

— with files from 980 CJME’s Jacob Bamhour

by Gillian Massie - CJME News

First Saskatchewan tornado of 2026 spins north of Belle Plaine

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