The text below currently applies to Brandon Carberry Treherne. There are similar watches out on the Southwest part of the province. Quite a bit of cloud development in the area and something on radar moving in this general direction but no warnings as of now. Anything we get would come from the Northwest  
 
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Watches  
 
Brandon - Carberry - Treherne  
4:05 PM CDT WEDNESDAY 01 AUGUST 2012  
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH FOR  
Brandon - Carberry - Treherne CONTINUED  
 
Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions. Watch for updated statements.  
 
Please refer to the latest public forecasts for further details and continue to monitor the situation through your local radio and television stations or Weatheradio.  
 
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?mb7  
 
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Radar is at:  
http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/radar/index_e.html?id=XFW

I really hope we are not getting teased again...lol we really need some rain out Hartney way...on the upside...the grass isn't growing so no need to sweat cutting it.

It's happening right now in Minnedosa!

Clouds to the North sure are dark. Still not a for-sure that they'll get Brandon. Stay tuned, no warnings as of now  
 
Edited by Adam, 2012-08-01 16:44:57

Did I just hear the tornado sirens? Was that a test? Enviro Canada has not upgraded our t-storm warning, have they?

just the monthly test

Knitwit said "Did I just hear the tornado sirens? Was that a test? Enviro Canada has not upgraded our t-storm warning, have they? "

Would assume just a co-incidence with really unfortunate timing. Being the first Wednesday of the month, they're doing their testing.  

Thanks. What a coincidence. I was talking to my mom on the phone at the time-scared us both half to death!

the rumbles of thunder in Brandon now.

Apparently on the 1st of the month at 4:45 they do a test of the alarm system in Brandon

Heard the sirens and ran to the basement with the kids, not knowing about the monthly alarm testing!! Phew good to know.

Hopefully the thunderstorms or at least rain will hit us today. I am getting tired of the teasers! LOL!!! We do need the rain that is for sure. Here's hoping. Fingers crossed and toes!! LOL!!!  
 
Cheers  

totally forgot what day of the week it was. D'oh!

We have big rain drops! Does that count as a storm?

Trust the city of Brandon to not use common sense when testing their emergency system. Right as a possibly 'severe' thunderstorm is moving in?  
 
Brilliant...

Heard the sirens and ran to the basement with the kids, not knowing about the monthly alarm testing!! Phew good to know.

sirens don't exactly sound everytime when a severe thunderstorm watch or warning are issued. The city turned off the tests during the flood, because if a dike did fail, the sirens would go off  
 
My weather radio does automatic tests weekly and monthly no matter what.

I think they ring the sirens every Wednesday somewhere between 4 -5 pm. Someone correct me if I'm wrong  

Tough spot to be in  
If someone heard the siren and looked out and saw the dark clouds I can understand being a little worried if you didn't know it was test day.  
Have to wonder what the city would do though. If they put it off tomorrow they cause more panic by running an off schedule test that not everyone would know about. If they cancel the test then we haven't tested the system at a higher risk time of the year.  
 
I do wonder if there's a better time to schedule it than 4:45. That's generally in the thick of the time of day when you see the most severe storms. There might be other reasons for it, but wonder if something like 11am would make more sense. You'll get the odd storm then but most really severe "siren-worthy" stuff if you will would be mid-late afternoon and into the evening.  
 
Edited by Adam, 2012-08-01 17:35:06

Adam said "We have big rain drops! Does that count as a storm? "

Too funny Adam!!! We had a few drops in our yard. I guess that was the big storm. Glad I was able to watch it and didn't miss it. LOL!!!!  
 
Cheers

Well, at least you know it would work and you're prepared now! :-)

here in the Swan River Valley we just had lots of menacing clouds,thunder and lightening and just a sprinkle of rain from a storm moving from north to south. Hope you guys who really need rain get what we didn't. We have had lots of rain this summer.

i have heard sirens often but have never paid attention to the time or day. i have always wondered what they were for!!! LOL i wondered if they were for storms/tornadoes etc but didnt think they would test them that often.

Are tested the 1st Wednesday of the month at 4:45. I was outside watching the clouds when they went off. For a moment I thought "What the heck", but quickly realized it was the test.

Just for closure's sake, thought I'd post that the watch was ended a little less than an hour ago. Time to break out the sprinkler again.... my part of town didn't get anywhere near enough out of that small shot of rain.

It was a bit of a let-down! Oh well, it's supposed to rain Thursday and Friday...might hold off on the sprinkler for one more day.