Thunderstorms with huge hail and funnel clouds a risk in Alberta on Tuesday
A fresh round of severe thunderstorms may pop up in some parts of Alberta on Tuesday, with storms that could produce very large hail and funnel clouds.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre show a severe thunderstorm risk in Alberta for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
“In somewhat of a repeat of yesterday, a risk of severe weather is on tap for southern Alberta with hail being the principal threat,” the significant weather discussion noted.
The threat area is a little further south than yesterday, stretching from about Airdrie to the international border, with a big question surrounding smoke levels and their impact on the development and growth of some cells.
There is a moderate risk zone present in the province today, which includes areas such as Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, Cochrane, High Level, and Lethbridge.
Weather risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could produce hail up to five centimetres in size, the equivalent of a golf ball. Rainfall totals of up to 40 millimetres may also be at play.
Areas northwest of Edmonton, including Grande Prairie, are under a minor weather risk that may also see thunderstorms that could produce hail up to two centimetres in size, about the size equivalent of a penny, wind gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour, and rainfall totals up to 40 millimetres. The formation of funnel clouds may also occur in this region.
A minor weather risk zone that does not include the risk of funnel clouds hugs most of the province, including Edmonton, Lloydminster, Banff, Jasper, Medicine Hat, Peace River, and Red Deer. Weather risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could produce hail up to two centimetres in size, about the size equivalent of a penny. Rainfall totals of up to 40 millimetres may also occur.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre
The risk of thunderstorms in Alberta mostly dissipates as we hit the overnight hours, with the outlook for early Wednesday showing a minor risk for southeastern parts of the province. The strongest potential impacts will touch the Medicine Hat area, with wind gusts up to 90 kilometres an hour, hail up to two centimetres in size, and up to 40 millimetres of rain.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre
You can check for any current weather watches and warnings on the ECCC website, and view the full ECCC thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre online.
If you were curious about how the weather is shaping up for this month, we chatted with ECCC about how August may look.