A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for western Manitoba.

Environment Canada issued the warnings at 12:17 p.m. Friday, June 2, 2017.

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

A cold front will trigger thunderstorms later this afternoon as it slices into an unstable airmass that is situated over southwestern Manitoba. Some of these thunderstorms will become severe.

The severe weather threat is then expected to shift towards the Red River Valley this evening.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.storm.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports using #MBStorm.

 

The following areas are currently under the watch: