Saskatchewan Tornadoes: Live Updates, Warnings, and Essential Safety Tips
Warmer weather is fast approaching, which can only mean one thing - tornado season is just around the corner. With Saskatchewan being no stranger to the powerful storms that roll through the Prairie Tornado Alley, we’re here to help ensure you’re prepared with everything you need to get through the worst weather.
Staying informed, prepping your home, and purchasing all essential items are all well within your control. Now is the time to act and do all of the legwork so that you are ready for whatever may come your way this rainy season.
To help simplify this process, we have gathered some great safety tips for you to follow to keep everyone in your family safe and sound.
When Is Tornado Season in Saskatchewan?
Summer Season
The most active tornado season in Saskatchewan occurs in June, July, and August. While the majority of large storms occur during these months, a tornado can also touch down during other times of the year if the weather conditions allow it.
July is the most active month during the stormy season, but you should try to have all of your emergency preparedness done well before the summer months roll around. While uncommon, tornadoes can sometimes touch down as early as May, so don’t hesitate to get your items in order.
What Causes This?
This season is most active for hurricanes because the warmer, more humid weather patterns create ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms and tornadoes to form.
It is also interesting to note that the majority of severe storms and tornadoes tend to hit during the afternoon or early evening. With typical weather patterns, this is when storms reach their peak and are the strongest.
How To Stay Updated on Saskatchewan Tornado Warnings
Sign up for Local Alerts—There are a ton of local alert channels that you can follow to ensure you have the most updated information regarding impending storms. Environment Canada is an excellent website that offers regular alerts of upcoming weather systems and the likelihood of tornadoes touching down in your area.
Download the SaskAlert App - The SaskAlert app is a great tool for immediate alerts. This application is geared to notify you of any tornado warnings or watches and when these are set to expire.
Tune into Local Radio and News Stations—If you prefer to get your news from more traditional outlets, ensure you can access them if the power goes out or there is an extended blackout. Investing in EcoFlow’s DELTA Series Solar Generators is an excellent backup plan that allows you to keep your devices powered up even if the grid goes down during a storm.
How To Prepare for a Tornado in Saskatchewan
Being prepared is the best way to keep you and your family safe during the peak tornado season. Here are some simple tips you should follow as you work to get yourself and your home prepped for the upcoming storm season.
Stay in the Know
While it may be easy to see when the weather takes a turn for the worse, it can be hard to predict whether the conditions outside are favourable for a tornado to develop. That is why staying informed and understanding what the warning signs mean regarding tornado preparedness is so important.
Local weather stations and weather apps, like SaskAlert, are great tools for ensuring you have access to the most up-to-date information about the storm. You can also listen to local radio stations and check in with social media accounts if this is your preferred method of consuming news.
Prepare a Safe Shelter
When a tornado hits, the last thing you want to do is scramble to find a safe place to ride it out. To be best prepared, take the time to designate an actual spot in your house that you know will be your safety bunker.
Whenever you have a chance, find a spot in an interior space within your home. Avoid rooms with large windows and set up a space where you would be comfortable enough to ride out a storm for hours at a time.
Build Your Emergency Kit
Once you have your shelter space prepared, you can stock your emergency kit. This kit should contain food, water, flashlights, and portable chargers for your safe space.
EcoFlow’s RAPID Magnetic Power Bank is a great portable option that is easy to carry and ensures you have a way to charge your phone for the latest storm updates.
Secure Your Home
Before the peak of the storm season, it is a good idea to address your outdoor space and make any necessary safety modifications. This may mean tying down patio furniture or moving plant vases and other heavy items indoors or to cover spaces to ensure the storm does not sweep them away.
Check-in on the Emergency Kit Regularly
Once you have your initial kit built, the work is not done. Every six months or so, you should be sure to restock any expired or used items and check that you still have everything you need in your kit ready to go.
Being prepared for a tornado is a year-round effort, and you should find a way to build it into your schedule so that you won't be unprepared if a disaster were to strike unexpectedly.
What To Do When a Tornado Hits Saskatchewan
The time to prepare for the storm is officially said and done. Here is what you need to do when a tornado is actively at your doorstep.
Grab Your Family Members and Pets—If you are at home, make sure to account for everyone in your household and your pets. Animals can get particularly spooked when the weather turns bad, so be sure to include them in your emergency plans and keep everyone in your safe space until it is time to leave.
Seek Shelter and Stay in Place—Settle into your prepared space and do your best to stay calm. If you have done everything to prepare ahead of time, you should be in the clear. Stay alert and be ready to act on your evacuation plan if conditions worsen.
Stay Informed—It can be tempting to leave your home in the aftermath of a storm to see the damage and check in with neighbors, but it is essential not to leave until it is safe to do so. EcoFlow Portable Power Stations can keep your devices charged so that you can get updates on the course of the storm and check in with your local family and friends to ensure everyone fared okay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Tornadoes Common in Saskatchewan?
Tornadoes are relatively common in this region of Canada, and it is typical to see anywhere from 14 to 20 tornadoes touch down in Saskatchewan during a calendar year. This province is located in Prairie Tornado Alley and is one of the most tornado-prone locations throughout the entire country.
Is Saskatchewan in Danger of Tornadoes?
Yes, Saskatchewan is a province regularly impacted by tornadoes. While tornadoes are not typically a threat to this province year-round, there are seasons when they are more likely to occur.
Final Thoughts
While experiencing a tornado firsthand is certainly frightening, the good news is that there are plenty of things you can do ahead of time to ensure you have peace of mind if and when one does land near your home.
Now is the perfect time to take all the necessary steps to prepare your family and home for the worst stormy season. The EcoFlow DELTA 3 Plus can keep your home powered up in the aftermath of a powerful storm and will ensure you have access to everything you need until life returns to normal.