Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is warning southwestern to Manitoba to brace for severe thunderstorms, intense winds and the risk of tornadoes. The weather agency issued a severe thunderstorm watch for several communities on Sunday afternoon, explaining that a cold front combined with an unseasonably warm atmosphere is creating favourable conditions for a storm. ECCC added that the storms will continue to “increase in coverage” before developing into a line and moving eastward toward the Manitoba border. The thunderstorms are also expected to gradually intensify early Sunday afternoon. According to Environment Canada, the main risks include wind gusts as strong as 90-100 km/h, large hail, heavy rainfall and brief tornadoes. The severe weather is forecast to calm down once the cold front pushes eastward on Sunday evening. ECCC warned that driving conditions may be dangerous during the storm. It also advised that thunderstorms may damage fences, trees, roofs and soft shelters.
