Funnel clouds and severe hail a potential for storms in Alberta today
Alberta could see some active weather today, with storms that could produce funnel clouds and hail in some areas.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre are tracking scattered showers and thunderstorms thanks to a low over northern Alberta that will slowly move southeastward today.
Forecasters say a weak frontal wave is forecast to develop along with this low, with a cold front stretching across central Alberta by this afternoon. The front will focus thunderstorm development near and north of the Highway One corridor.
A supercell or two is not out of the realm of possibility in that area; however, the parameters in place will likely favour more upscale growth over discrete cells. That being said, severe hail and winds are possible, especially if supercells do manage to pop up.
“The low itself will also act to focus thunderstorm potential further north. Instability will be fairly meagre in this area, but abundant vorticity aloft combined with convergence near the surface low could cause concern for funnel clouds this afternoon in east-central Alberta,” the outlook stated for Monday, June 23.
The moderate risk zone for thunderstorms in the province covers Calgary and extends to the border with Saskatchewan.
The main risks for that area include 90 to 100 km/h wind gusts and hail up to three centimetres in size.
There is also a minor weather threat for portions of the province, with the primary hazards today including hail up to two centimetres in size and wind gusts of up to 80 km/h. A section of Alberta, just east of Edmonton, stretches to the Saskatchewan border, where the risk of funnel clouds forming is present.
It’s also best to bring your plants inside tonight, just in case, with forecasters hinting at clearing in the wake of the showers will allow overnight lows to approach the freezing mark tonight in parts of the province.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
The outlook added that smoke continues to drift around extreme northwestern Alberta; however, southerly flow over the next couple of days should keep it from spreading to other parts of the province.
The thunderstorm outlook for tonight shows Alberta is in the clear for any thunderstorms, with just a minor threat popping up in central and southern Saskatchewan.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
Turning to the seven-day forecast for Edmonton and Calgary, it’s looking to be a wet one, with numerous chances of showers in Alberta’s two largest cities.
Edmonton
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada