Severe thunderstorms target Alberta today with significant hail and tornado risk
It’s shaping up to be a potentially active weather day in central and southern Alberta today, with severe thunderstorms that could produce a tornado and very large hail.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre say that there are two areas at moderate risk of a tornado popping up along with very large hail.
Forecasters note that the most likely scenario is dangerous wind gusts across east-central Alberta, with large hail up to four centimetres also being possible.
“If things line up, there is a risk of an isolated tornado where the cold front and a bulging dry line are forecast to meet,” the outlook stated for Wednesday, July 9.
Another area of moderate risk encompasses Red Deer and extends east all the way to the Saskatchewan border, with hail up to five centimetres in size, wind gusts of 120 km/h, and the potential for a tornado.
Edmonton and Calgary also fall in the minor weather threat zone, with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h, hail up to two centimetres in size, and 30 millimetres of rain.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
Things should calm down in the province tonight, with the thunderstorm outlook shifting all potential thunderstorms out of Alberta and into Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
Taking a look at the seven-day forecast for Edmonton and Calgary, both cities may see a thunderstorm pop up, and that risk stretches into tomorrow as well for YYC.
It’ll be a lovely end to the workweek with plenty of sunshine to enjoy over the weekend before some rain moves in on Monday in both cities. It’s really shaping up to be a fantastic final weekend of the Calgary Stampede!
Edmonton
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada
You can view the full ECCC thunderstorm outlook online.