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Looking Back at Extreme Summer Weather

Each summer here in Saskatchewan we see our fair share of extreme weather, most recently tornadoes, flooding, smoke, extreme heat and humidity across the province.

So with all the weather alerts happening, let’s take a look back at Saskatchewan’s extreme summer weather.

Regina tornado

It was hot and muggy on June 30, 1912. Wascana Park was bustling with people soaking up the heat.

But what started as a beautiful summer day took a turn. Just before 5 p.m. CST, the clouds started to build with a dangerous green tinge.

Then, a strong cyclone touched down south of Regina. It travelled north, tearing through neighbourhoods north of Wascana Lake and the downtown.

This tornado is ranked as the deadliest cyclone in Canadian history. Twenty-eight people lost their lives and hundreds were injured. Houses and businesses were flattened, leaving  $1.2 million in property damage and 2,500 people without homes.

Hottest temperature in Canada

Though southern Ontario is known for its hot summers, Saskatchewan has its own place in the record books.

On July 5, 1937, the mercury rose to 45 C in both Yellow Grass and Midale, Sask., which is the hottest temperature officially recorded in Canada.

Yellow Grass is 75 kilometres southeast of Regina. Midale is 150 kilometres southeast of Regina.

Kamsack cyclone

On Aug. 9, 1944, when most eyes were on Europe, the skies opened up over Kamsack, Sask., northeast of Yorkton by the Manitoba border.

A powerful tornado ripped through the small town, killing three people and injuring many others. The twister destroyed 400 houses,100 businesses and caused $2 million in damages.

Veterans returning from overseas came home to a different battleground: helping with the community’s rebuild. This led to the community’s biggest building boom in its history.

Prairie drought of 1988

From too much snow to not enough precipitation, the summer of 1988 was marked by extreme drought conditions.

By June, record hot temperatures in the 40 C range set up in Saskatchewan and many communities only saw half their average rainfall.

Erosion of the dry soil was a problem and dust storms rolled across the parched prairies. The summer yielded a significant drop in crop production, with a loss of $1.8 billion in 1981 dollars.

Saskatoon thunderstorm

On July 4, 1996, a powerful outbreak of thunderstorms led to numerous reported tornadoes and microbursts near Saskatoon, Maymont and Osler, Sask.

Winds in Saskatoon gusted between 120 and 140 km/h, causing damage to homes on the east side of the city and a drive-in theatre.

Vanguard storm

During a series of severe thunderstorms in the summer of 2000, the community of Vanguard, Sask., saw what Environment Canada called the most intense rain storm ever on the Prairies.

On July 3, 2000, around 375 millimetres of rain fell near the small community southeast of Swift Current, Sask., in an eight-hour period. That’s more precipitation than the area typically sees in the entire year.

The storm washed out homes and roads in the community.

Saskatchewan floods (May and June 2011)

In May 2011, after a thick snowpack the previous winter, many communities saw their average annual rainfall fall in the span of a couple months.

Flash flooding between the Souris River and Assiniboine River began in early May. By June 17, Weyburn was one of 19 Saskatchewan communities to declare a state of emergency.

This flooding in southern Saskatchewan caused the evacuation of hundreds of residents and many highway closures, including part of the Trans-Canada. The flooding also displaced residents and caused extensive damage for those in southern Manitoba and North Dakota.

La Ronge wildfires (Summer 2015)

It was the largest evacuation in Saskatchewan’s history. In July 2015, more than 13,000 residents were forced from their homes as wildfires ravaged northern Saskatchewan.

The summer was unusually dry in the northern stretches of the province. Add a couple of lightning strikes, and the parched vegetation lit up.

By July 6, 112 fires were roaring in the province. Some of those fires infringed on populated areas, including the town of La Ronge, Sask., forcing mass evacuations.

Fire crews and soldiers from across Canada travelled to northern Saskatchewan to help fight the blazes.

By August, the fire situation had eased considerably, though many wildfires continued to burn into the fall.

The Regina Cyclone of 1912

On June 30, 1912, Regina was hit by a devastating tornado, known as the Regina Cyclone. This EF4 tornado remains one of the deadliest in Canadian history. It struck the city in the late afternoon, carving a path of destruction through the downtown area. Buildings were flattened, and debris was scattered for miles. The tornado resulted in 28 deaths and over 200 injuries, causing an estimated $5 million in damages (equivalent to over $100 million today). The aftermath saw a massive rebuilding effort and significant changes in building codes and emergency preparedness.

The Swift Current Tornado of 1976

On June 26, 1976, Swift Current experienced a powerful F3 tornado that caused extensive damage. The tornado touched down in the early evening, sweeping through the town with winds estimated at 300 km/h. It destroyed homes, uprooted trees, and flipped vehicles. Remarkably, despite the widespread destruction, there were no fatalities, though dozens were injured. The event remains one of the most significant weather incidents in the province’s history, highlighting the unpredictable nature of tornadoes on the Prairies.

The Estevan Flood of 2011

In late June 2011, Estevan and surrounding areas in southeastern Saskatchewan were inundated by record-breaking rainfall, leading to severe flooding. Over 200 millimeters of rain fell in just a few days, causing the Souris River to overflow. Homes and businesses were submerged, and many residents had to be evacuated. The floodwaters damaged infrastructure, including roads and bridges, and prompted a state of emergency. The 2011 Estevan flood remains one of the most significant flooding events in Saskatchewan’s history.

The Saskatoon Hailstorm of 1991

On July 4, 1991, Saskatoon was hit by a violent hailstorm that left a lasting impact on the city. Hailstones the size of golf balls pummeled the area, causing widespread damage to homes, vehicles, and crops. The storm struck in the late afternoon, with little warning, leaving residents scrambling for cover. The damage was estimated at over $90 million, making it one of the costliest hailstorms in Canadian history. The event underscored the vulnerability of urban areas to severe hailstorms and led to improvements in weather forecasting and emergency response.

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