Torrential rain, 107 km/h winds batter Meadow Lake during severe storm

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The storm formed as a low-pressure system developed over Alberta and carried a warm front toward Saskatchewan. Gergely said the atmosphere contained the moisture, instability and strong upper-level winds needed to produce thunderstorms, while the warm front provided the trigger that lifted the air.

“We knew that this area would be very favourable for supercells, for strong thunderstorms, and even tornadic thunderstorms,” she said.

Forecasters tracked the storm, or series of storms, as it moved from Alberta into Saskatchewan late in the evening.

Gergely said Environment Canada had identified the Meadow Lake region as being at risk earlier in the day because of the high moisture levels, atmospheric instability and the approaching warm front.

Unsettled northwesterly flow was expected to bring showers and a chance of thunderstorms through Monday and into Tuesday.

“There’s a chance for thunderstorms today [July 20], but we aren’t anticipating they’re going to be severe in nature like they were over the weekend,” she said.

Damage is seen at the 7-Eleven/Petro-Canada at 618 First Ave. W. in Meadow Lake following a severe thunderstorm over the weekend. (Image Credit: Mabel Iron/Facebook)

A more stable pattern is then expected to bring rising temperatures beginning Wednesday and continuing toward the weekend, though Gergely cautioned that confidence decreases in longer-range forecasts.

She encouraged residents to use the WeatherCAN app to receive watches and warnings and to seek shelter whenever thunder is heard.

“Even if you just hear thunder, go indoors, because even lightning can kill,” Gergely said. “Even for the next couple of days, when we’re anticipating non-severe, just a reminder that even lightning itself is considered a risk.”

City seeks disaster support

The city said Monday it is assessing the impacts of the weekend storm while seeking disaster support services and potential financial assistance programs.

In a public notice, the city urged residents whose properties were damaged to photograph affected areas, keep damaged items where possible, document cleanup efforts and save receipts for repairs.

It also cautioned that completing major structural repairs before details of any disaster financial assistance program are announced could affect eligibility for assistance.

“If disaster financial assistance programs are activated, a qualified professional may be assigned directly by that program to inspect major/structural damage. Completing major repairs before further program details are released could impact your eligibility for assistance,” the city said.

“We are working as quickly as possible to establish support programs. More information will be shared as it becomes available.”

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cjnbnews@pattisonmedia.com