Strong thunderstorms lash Saskatoon on Friday night
A violent thunderstorm hit Saskatoon late Friday night, bringing with it intense lightning, deafening thunder, strong wind gusts, and heavy rainfall. For a couple visiting from British Columbia, the storm turned their weekend plans upside down.
Michele Waldbillig, originally from Saskatoon but now living in B.C., described the moment the thunder shook the neighbourhood. “The thunder and lightning were so bad it was like an explosion in the sky,” she said. “The whole sky lit up, and I thought something like a car blew up.”
Instead, the rotten trunk of a tree crashed directly onto her pickup truck, destroying the vehicle.
“Our truck was gone,” said Waldbillig. “There was no truck left, the tree was so big.”
Only the headlight was visible beneath the collapsed branches. The roof is now heavily dented, the paint scratched, the truck bed misaligned, and the recently replaced windshield completely shattered.
A warning ignored
Just days before the storm, Waldbillig had spoken to a neighbour about the trees in the area. “I said ‘I’m from B.C., we have big trees, and you have to keep an eye on them.’” Her husband had dismissed the concern. After the storm, however, the impact was undeniable.
Now the couple is facing an extended stay in Saskatoon while they sort through insurance claims and coordinate with City Hall, since the tree appears to be rotten.
“They’ll have to send it to SGI because I’m not driving through the Rocky Mountains until it’s looked at,” Waldbillig said.
A summer trip with unexpected turns
The couple had travelled to Saskatchewan to reconnect with old friends and attend the Roughriders game in Regina. Despite the setback, they remained committed to their plan.
“We’re going to the game,” said Waldbillig. “That’s the reason we came out here.”
Her friend, who recently underwent treatment for breast cancer, was to join them. Though shaken, Waldbillig shared she’d be cheering for both the Roughriders and her home team, the B.C. Lions.
Stormy weather continues into the weekend
Saturday brought more warnings from Environment Canada, including a special weather statement about funnel cloud development stretching from Meadow Lake down past Davidson.
Meteorologist Eric Dykes noted that southern Saskatchewan could expect scattered thunderstorms and showers throughout the weekend, with some areas possibly seeing funnel clouds.
“It’s hit and miss,” Dykes explained. Not all communities will be affected, but those heading to Mosaic Stadium in Regina should stay alert to conditions and expect possible rain.
Dykes added that although recent weather has included hail, tornadoes, and intense downpours, this storm activity is typical for late June. “It’s kind of where it should be for this time of year,” he said.
Following the stormy weekend, sunny and warm conditions are expected to return, with a promising outlook for a bright Canada Day.
A funnel cloud spotted near Vibank on June 19, 2025
A striking image captured a funnel cloud forming over Vibank, not far from the recent storm zone.
