Swift Current residents most likely heard, or even felt, the severe thunderstorm that passed through the southwest last night.

According to Environment and Climate Change Canada, while it was powerful, it was more bark than bite.

Meteorologist Stephen Berg said the system, which came from southern Alberta, mostly brought strong winds.

"It didn't look to be a big rainmaker; Swift Current itself got maybe a couple of millimeters," he said. "We have the lightning detection network that does detect lightning. There were lightning strikes in the area, but verifying whether it touches the ground or not is something that we can't really confirm."

Wind gusts in Swift Current reached up to 65 kilometres per hour last night, while Eastend and Maple Creek experienced 89, and Kindersley felt 90.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued for the southwest in the evening around 10:15 p.m. Berg explained that those warnings are issued when thunderstorms are imminent or occurring that might produce hail the size of nickels or greater, wind gusts of 90 kilometers per hour or higher, heavy rains and the possibility of a tornado.

If a severe thunderstorm warning or tornado warning are issued, residents should follow the safety tips that are given at the bottom of the warning text, as they can be lifesaving.