Threat of thunderstorms with toonie-sized hail in store for parts of Alberta today
A round of thunderstorms is potentially in store for parts of Alberta today, bringing with them high wind gusts and large hail.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre hint at a fairly modest pattern for convection for areas across Alberta today, with two areas of interest highlighted in the outlook.
“One concern is the Foothills, to the west of a thermal ridge banked up against the terrain. The other is over northern Alberta in association with a thermal trough,” the outlook stated for Monday, June 16.
Forecasters have stated that there is a possibility of marginally severe hail and wind gusts this afternoon and evening; however, these conditions are expected to be less energetic than those experienced by the province yesterday, and widespread severe weather appears unlikely at this time.
The moderate risk for thunderstorms in the province covers the Edmonton region and as far west as Edson, and as far east as the border with Saskatchewan.
The main risks for that area include 70 to 90 km/h wind gusts and hail in the one- to three-centimetre range.
The minor weather threat hugs some heavily populated areas in the province outside of the moderate risk, including Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, High Level, and Red Deer. The primary risks include hail up to one centimetre in size, wind gusts of up to 70 km/h, and rainfall amounts ranging between 30 and 50 millimetres.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
The outlook also flagged that elsewhere in Alberta, smoke will remain a concern to the west of High Level, and fog patches are likely to appear again tonight.
The thunderstorm outlook for tonight shifts the minor thunderstorm threat to a swath from northern to southern Alberta, with Red Deer, Edmonton, and Peace River all seeing the potential for storms with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h and 20 to 30 millimetres of rain.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
Turning to the seven-day forecast for Edmonton and Calgary, it appears to be shaping up as a decently wet one, with multiple days expected to produce showers or periods of rain.
Edmonton
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada