Environment Canada issues tornado watch for Prince George, B.C.

PRINCE GEORGE — Environment Canada issued a tornado watch for a section of central B.C. that includes Prince George on Friday, with meteorologists tracking a “long cluster of severe thunderstorms.”

The weather agency said conditions were ripe for severe thunderstorms which “may produce tornadoes,” also warning of high winds, Ping-Pong ball size hail and heavy rain.

The tornado watch also warns of possible significant damage to homes and infrastructure.

Environment Canada said residents should go indoors in the event of a tornado and seek out a room away from walls and windows on their home’s lowest floor.

“Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can,” Environment Canada said.

“If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take cover immediately.”

Environment Canada issued several storm watches for parts of central and northern B.C. covering Prince George, Quesnel, Williams Lake and elsewhere, as a system of low pressure tracked south across B.C. Friday evening.

It said severe thunderstorm watches are issued due to conditions that are favourable for such storms to bring damaging hail, wind or rain.

The watches said the incoming weather could possibly damage roofs, fences, tree branches or “soft shelters.”

Environment Canada also issued a storm warning for northeastern B.C. around Babine Lake, which could see strong winds with gusts topping 90 km/h, hailstones the size of quarters and heavy rains.

It also said heavy rainfall warnings were in place for parts of eastern central Alberta, with up to 100 millimetres predicted in some areas for this weekend before easing by Sunday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 19, 2026

The Canadian Press