Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for a large area of central Alberta.
Both Edmonton and Calgary were included in the warning at 5:15 p.m, but the warning ended for both cities shortly after 6 p.m. A severe thunderstorm watch is still in effect for the Edmonton region.
“At 6:37 p.m. MT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” reads the warning.
“This line of storms is located from north of Edmonton to east of Calgary and is moving 50 km/h to the east.”
The weather agency said strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.
Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall.
As of 6:45 p.m., there were severe thunderstorm watches and/or warnings in effect for communities included in these regions:
- Airdrie – Cochrane – Olds – Sundre
- Bonnyville – St. Paul – Cold Lake – Lac La Biche
- Brooks – Strathmore – Vulcan
- City of Edmonton – St. Albert – Sherwood Park
- Drayton Valley – Devon – Rimbey – Pigeon Lake
- Drumheller – Three Hills
- Fort Saskatchewan – Vegreville – Redwater – Smoky Lake
- Hanna – Coronation – Oyen
- Leduc – Camrose – Wetaskiwin – Tofield
- Lloydminster – Wainwright – Vermilion – Provost
- Medicine Hat – Bow Island – Suffield
- Red Deer – Ponoka – Innisfail – Stettler
- Rocky Mountain House – Caroline
- Spruce Grove – Morinville – Mayerthorpe – Evansburg
- Westlock – Barrhead – Athabasca
- Whitecourt – Edson – Fox Creek – Swan Hills