Thunderstorms with tornado risk and baseball-sized hail in Alberta today
Some heavily populated parts of Alberta may see severe thunderstorms roll through today, with the risk of very large hail and a tornado.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre show large portions of Alberta at risk of potentially seeing some severe thunderstorm activity today, July 8.
There is a high-risk zone present in the province today, hugging much of eastern Alberta, with spots like Lloydminster, Wainwright, Provost, Consort, and Oyen blanketed by that orange risk zone.
Weather risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could bring hail up to six centimetres in size, the equivalent of a baseball. Up to 50 millimetres of rain may also occur if a thunderstorm materializes, and the possibility of a tornado forming can’t be ruled out.
There is also a moderate weather risk for large populations, including in Calgary, Edmonton, Airdrie, Red Deer, Chestermere, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge. Weather risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 110 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could bring hail up to six centimetres in size, the equivalent of a baseball. Around 50 millimetres of rain may also fall due to a storm.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre
Elsewhere in the province, a risk of seeing wind gusts up to 70 kilometres an hour, hail up to one centimetre in size, and up to 30 millimetres of rain blankets many areas, including Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Hinton, Edson, High Level, and Peace River.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued by ECCC for numerous areas across Alberta, calling for conditions that are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.
“Thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and early this evening. Some of these thunderstorms could become severe,” the watch added.
You can check for any current weather watches and warnings on the ECCC website.