Tornado

(Undated archive photo)

This could shape up to be a dangerous day for weather.

Environment Canada is expecting some thunderstorms today, and a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the southwest, but some professional storm chasers are saying conditions are very favourable for tornadoes in parts of Saskatchewan.

"There's a potential for very strong severe thunderstorms, capable of producing baseball- and grapefruit-sized hail," said Greg Johnson, who runs TornadoHunter.com. "One of the things that goes along with big, strong thunderstorms is tornadoes. The reality is the conditions are condusive for both strong thunderstorms and tornadoes, we just really don't want to see anybody get hurt. I really hope that it doesn't happen, but at the same time, if it does, we want people to be aware that it's on the way."

Johnson is reminding people to pay close attention to the forecasts and prepare themselves if any storms do arrive.

"When it comes to warning people, it's a difficult and fine line. You don't want to scare people, and you certainly don't want to make people feel complacent next time around," he added.

Johnson and other storm chasers from Canada and the United States are in Saskatchewan watching the skies and will follow any storms if they do develop.

As for the storm watch, the Weather Agency is saying that strong thunderstorms developing in Montana are expected to move into the southwest and bring large hail and damaging winds. For more details, click the Local Weather link on Swift Current Online.