Alberta at risk of thunderstorms with large hail in new round of severe weather
It’s been an active start to the week for weather across Alberta, and another round of thunderstorms could pop up in parts of the province today.
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, a similar pattern to what was seen yesterday.
Forecasters predict that the Foothills and northeastern Alberta will be the primary initiation areas, with the former resulting from mountain-plain circulation and the latter due to a deformation zone interacting with a slumping cold front.
“Widespread thunderstorms are likely at some point over the next 18 to 24 hours across most corners of the province,” the outlook stated for Tuesday, June 17.
Marginally severe hail and wind gusts are the primary threats with a largely “multicellular storm mode,” and depending on shear and attendant boundaries, meteorologists say the odd storm may gain supercell characteristics for a while, as was experienced yesterday.
There are two moderate risk zones for thunderstorms in the province, with one area covering Calgary and extending to the border with Saskatchewan, and another area running down to the U.S. border.
The main risks for that area include 90 to 110 km/h wind gusts and hail up to two centimetres in size.
The second moderate risk zone hugs central Alberta, with risks in that area pegged at 90 km/h wind gusts and hail up to three centimetres in size.
The minor weather threat encompasses the majority of Alberta outside of the two moderate risk zones. The primary hazards include hail up to one centimetre in size and wind gusts of up to 70 km/h.
ECCC Storm Prediction Centre Edmonton
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued by ECCC shortly after 11:30 a.m. for areas in southeastern Alberta due to conditions being favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts this afternoon and evening.
You can view all current weather watches/warnings here.
The outlook also flagged that smoke will remain a concern elsewhere in Alberta to the west of High Level, and fog patches are likely to appear again tonight in some parts of the province where rain and thunderstorms have been most frequent.
The thunderstorm outlook for tonight shifts the minor thunderstorm threat to a swath from northern to southern Alberta, with Red Deer, Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Edson, and Peace River all seeing the potential for storms with wind gusts of up to 70 km/h and 10 to 20 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 for YYC, with multiple days expected to produce showers or periods of rain.
YEG is looking to be a bit drier, with a chance of showers and showers only popping up tonight through to Thursday.
Edmonton
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Calgary
Environment and Climate Change Canada