Alberta at risk for thunderstorms with hail and 100 km/h wind gusts today
A fresh batch of thunderstorms is potentially brewing for parts of Alberta today, bringing with them high wind gusts and hail.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre indicate that an unsettled pattern is developing in Alberta, with showers and isolated thunderstorms expected today, tonight, and tomorrow.
“Some thunderstorms over extreme southwestern Alberta may approach severe limits later today, assuming enough isolation can occur,” the outlook stated for Thursday, June 12.
The moderate risk for thunderstorms in the province extends just near Banff down to the U.S. border, and shifts into the Lethbridge area as well.
The main risks for that area include 80 to 100 km/h wind gusts and hail in the one to two centimetre range.
The minor weather threat hugs some heavily populated areas in the province outside of the moderate risk, including Calgary, Medicine Hat, and Red Deer. That risk includes 70 km/h wind gusts and hail that could be up to one centimetre in size.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
The outlook also noted that smoke and poor air quality continue for the southern and western regions of the province; however, a gradual improvement is expected over the next 24 hours.
The thunderstorm outlook for tonight shifts the minor thunderstorm threat more to central Alberta, with Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Edson, and Lloydminster all seeing the potential for storms with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
Turning to the seven-day forecast for Edmonton and Calgary, it’s shaping up to be a moderately wet one, with several days expected to have a chance of showers.
Edmonton
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada