Saskatchewan

Tornado confirmed in farmer's field near Biggar, Sask.

Environment Canada confirmed a tornado touched down for about five minutes yesterday, and issued watches for several thunderstorms in the southwest Saturday.

Environment Canada meteorologist confirms tornado touched down Friday

A tornado touched down in a farmer's field just west of Biggar, Sask., on Friday afternoon. (brucejbarber11/Twitter)

A tornado touched down west of Biggar, Sask., Friday afternoon, according to Environment Canada meteorologist Dan Fulton.

"It was in a farmer's field," Fulton said. 

He said the tornado touched down for about five minutes and no damage was reported. 

A tornado touched down just west of Biggar, Sask., in the late afternoon on July 1. (Google Maps)

Fulton noted five minutes on the ground is 'par for the course' for a prairie tornado. Most tornadoes don't touch down for longer than that unless the storm is well-developed, he said.

Expect severe storms on Saturday

While Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorm watches and warnings in the southwest corner of the province early Saturday, Fulton said it was less likely that another twister would develop.

"Yesterday's weather was primed for tornadoes," Fulton said Saturday. "On this day, the set-up doesn't seem quite like that."

However, he said he couldn't rule it out completely, because tornadoes can result from any severe thunderstorm. He added that the weather service is keeping a close watch on the storm activity in the southwest Saturday morning. 

"It's showing no signs of stopping," Fulton said.