Tornado watch: High thunderstorm energy with severe risks in Alberta
Alberta's forecast for Wednesday and Thursday includes a significant risk of thunderstorms, supercells, very large hail, and a potential for tornadoes, particularly in central regions
10:32 a.m. MDT - A tornado watch is in effect across Alberta amid a severe storm threat Wednesday afternoon/evening. A tornado watch means that conditions are favourable for the development of tornadoes.
Pay close attention to the latest alerts in case the tornado watch is upgraded to a tornado warning in your area. Have a plan in place to seek safe shelter in case severe weather threatens your home, your office, or while you’re driving.
CURRENT TORNADO WATCHES:
The original article with the full forecast for Alberta continues below.
A prolonged severe weather event is forecast to affect Alberta. On Wednesday and Thursday, central regions face a heightened risk of thunderstorms, with potential development of supercells. These storms may bring very large hail and an elevated risk of tornadoes.
Residents across impacted regions should monitor alerts, and be prepared for the quickly changing and deteriorating conditions.
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Wednesday: Widespread severe thunderstorms
A slow-moving low pressure system north of Edmonton on Wednesday, combined with a surface trough along the Alberta-Saskatchewan border, is expected to trigger several pockets of severe weather.
Southern Alberta faces widespread severe thunderstorms that will move east into Saskatchewan. Isolated thunderstorms are also expected in central and northern areas, including Edmonton and sections of the QE2 corridor.
Storm activity is forecast to peak by late afternoon and evening, with moderate CAPE values in the south and higher CAPE near Edmonton. Conditions are favourable for supercells, which may bring very large hail, potentially up to golf ball size, damaging winds, and a low tornado risk.
In southern Alberta, storms carry threats of large hail, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.
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Thursday: Severe thunderstorm potential rises again, with a tornado risk
The thunderstorm potential increases on Thursday with high CAPE available.
A low-pressure system will be centred in northern Alberta-Saskatchewan while the surface trough lingers and aligns down the Rockies.
Severe thunderstorms are expected from the foothills into northern Saskatchewan, mostly in the afternoon and evening on Thursday.
The storms should be scattered in nature, leaving uncertainty on where they will develop.
High CAPE, wind shear and strong lapse rates provide the following threats:
Strong wind gusts possibly exceeding 100 km/h in the strongest storms
Large hail possibly reaching golf ball-size
Funnel clouds (northern Alberta and Saskatchewan)
One or two tornadoes (south and central Alberta)
Residents are encouraged to monitor alerts and have safety plans in place for changing weather conditions.