Thunderstorms with a tornado risk target major cities in Alberta Friday
It’s been a busy week of severe weather threats in Alberta, and that risk continues today with thunderstorms that may produce very large hail and a tornado potential.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), thunderstorm outlooks from the Storm Prediction Centre show many major cities in Alberta at risk of severe thunderstorm activity today, July 17.
There is a moderate-risk zone present in the province today, with heavily populated areas such as Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Leduc, Edson, Calgary, Okotoks, Airdrie, Red Deer, Cochrane, and Lethbridge grouped into that risk area.
Weather risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 110 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could produce hail up to five centimetres in size, the equivalent of a golf ball. 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.
A minor risk zone exists just outside of the medium risk, which encompasses much of the Rockies, Grande Prairie, Peace River, Lloydminster, and Medicine Hat. Risks in that area include wind gusts of up to 80 kilometres an hour, with thunderstorms that could bring hail up to two centimetres in size, and rainfall totals around 20 millimetres.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued by ECCC shortly after 10 a.m. for much of the Foothills and southern Alberta, noting that conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. Thunderstorms will develop in western Alberta late this morning or early this afternoon and progress northeastward through the day.
You can check for any current weather watches and warnings on the ECCC website.
The risk of thunderstorms in Alberta rolls on when we hit the overnight hours, with the outlook for early Saturday showing a minor risk for most of the province.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre
Areas such as Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer, Edson, Lloydminster, Lethbridge, Medicine Hat, Grande Prairie, and Peace River could see thunderstorms that produce up to 80 kilometres per hour wind gusts, hail up to two centimetres in size, and 30 millimetres of rain.