June 6, 2026 Saskatchewan Storm (from ND)

June 5 Begin: Rapid City/lunch: Uncle Louie’s in Sundance, WY/End: Baker, MT/257 miles

June 6 Begin: Baker, MT/lunch: Culvers in Williston, ND/End: Crosby, ND

June 5 was a reposition day. The 6th was looking pretty good, with more than enough shear and instability for a supercell in western North Dakota. From Williston we continued northward to the Canadian border, near Fortuna. It appeared that much better chase prospects would be just across the border, into southwestern Saskatchewan. We endured a long delay at the border as the Canadian side looked over everyone’s passports. We had a guest from Brazil, and he was not permitted entry as visitors from that country required a visa. Thus, the group was split up, with most guests and two guides able to chase a big storm that was starting to develop to the northeast of the border crossing. I remained on the U.S. side with two guests and a driver.

The first 11 images below (off of the Canon 6D) show the impressive cumulonimbus cloud on the Canada side that was chased by the contingent on the Canada side. I took these images from Fortuna and vicinity. The base of this Saskatchewan storm morphed into a nice spaceship form towards sunset.

Meanwhile, my group watched some much weaker stuff near Crosby, ND. I managed a few lightning pics as a late-evening squall made its way out of Montana towards Crosby.