Girthy storm structure at Willow Bunch

Description

July 6, 2025 Severe Warned Storm between Assiniboia & Bengough SK Canada Thick, Colorful & Girthy storm structure at Willow Bunch!!! This was a tough day to forecast and a LONG driving day haha! (13.5 hours from leaving my home to arriving back at 2 am the next day) I was seeing 2 main storms systems. 1. around the Gravelbourg region as it moves it way East and intensifies (for a time) 2. a long line of storms (perhaps part will be both severe and non-severe) crossing from Alberta into SK from basically Frontier (SW) all the way to Unity (and perhaps even more North). The 1st system was my main interest for the start as models suggested it would makes it way East roughly between Regina, Rouleau, Weyburn. As this storm eventually weakens, the 2nd system could split in the region South of Moose Jaw as it moves SE. There was also Capping issues with this system that "could" prevent initiation or perhaps weaken the system. My target for the potential 1st line of storms was Avonlea. I got my gas and waited for a few radar runs. From there seen the 1st line of storms begin to form, but the cap was winning as they were all weak. I decided to go after the big system coming in from the Alberta border making it's way slowly East. I ventured off towards Galilee and then down HWY 36 through Crane Valley and then decided to keep going, so made my way to Assiniboia. Topped off my gas as I could see the long Squall Line like beast approaching! It was starting to look quite nice so found a road just to the West of town with the Richardson Pioneer plant (which made for a great foreground), and there I sat and watched it arrive with it's structural beauty. From there I played Cat & Mouse with the storm. That means, blast East to out of the rain, pull over, take a few pics, and blast East to get back out of the rain, rinse and repeat. From there made my way to Verwood where I was seeing some rotation on radar via Velocity. I Core Punched the storm to get to the South side and make my way to Willow Bunch. From there I "attempted" to find a way to the storm between Bengough and Minto (to my SE) as it was starting to show a lot of rotation! Along the way between Willow Bunch and Harptree, and now on the back side of the whole storm system, 1st witnessed an intense and beautiful bright rainbow followed by some Thick, Colorful & Girthy storm structure!!! From there, continued on towards Bengough on a poorly chosen road which was VERY waterlogged, slippery and squishy and almost nailed a deer! The road was just too much, and after slipping and sliding at 50 kms, I called it quits! Fun Chase Day!

Taken By

Ryan Crouse

Taken On

August 17, 2025

Tagged

grain elevator weather sky thunderstorm storm nature chasing saskatchewan prairies willow bunch clouds cloud cumulus outdoors scenery field grassland ecoregion morning prairie steppe

Assignments

Weather, Seasons and Sky