Northern B.C. tornado warning downgraded to severe thunderstorm watch

An Environment Canada map posted by EmergencyInfoBC shows the location of severe thunderstorm warnings and watches on Sunday, Aug. 17.

A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect for parts of northern B.C., including Prince George, after Environment Canada issued a tornado warning Sunday afternoon and quickly replaced it with a severe thunderstorm warning.

Initially, the weather agency warned an intense thunderstorm in the Stuart-Nechako region could produce a tornado just before 1:30 p.m., urging people to seek shelter. A downgraded warning was issued a few minutes later, which advised of strong winds, nickel-size hail and heavy rain.

In an update around 3 p.m., EmergencyInfoBC said severe thunderstorms had weakened and moved out of the region.

A severe thunderstorm watch, which is issued when “conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms capable of producing damaging hail, wind or rain,” remained in place for the Fort Nelson, McGregor, Prince George, Stuart-Nechako and Williston areas as of 4 p.m. Sunday.