Rain, thunderstorms, hail and weather warnings have dominated the weather story for July across central and southern Alberta, including Calgary.
This is a stark change after Calgary had one of the driest first few months on record.
READ MORE: Warm and dry winter worries Alberta farmers
Rain at this time of year is not unusual. July is typically the second wettest month in Calgary, averaging 65.5 mm of precipitation, but this July has been exceptional. As of July 15, Calgary had officially recorded 103.7 mm of rain at the Calgary International Airport, where weather statistics are kept. There have only been three days this month without any rain.
The timing of this bad weather hasn’t been ideal for the Calgary Stampede. It has rained every day but one for the first eight days of the annual 10-day event, with rain expected for the final two days as well. In total there has been 90 mm of rain since the Stampede started.
One annual Stampede concert was cancelled on Friday due to the weather. Don Henley was scheduled to play at the Oxford Stomp, and promoters cited safety concerns due to rain as the reason they had to shut down the show.
WATCH BELOW: Oxford Stomp cancelled due to weather
A rainfall warning was put in place for regions west and north of Calgary on Friday morning in anticipation of even more rain. A low pressure system had already brought between 30-50 mm of rain into the foothills since Thursday, with an additional 40-60 mm possible over the next 24 hours. As of 11:00 am Saturday that rainfall warning remains in place.
That extra precipitation is one of the main reasons a high streamflow advisory was issued for the regions surrounding Calgary including the Elbow river. According to the Alberta government release from Friday, no major flooding is anticipated at this point, but water levels are rapidly rising. People are being encouraged to stay off of the water and be safe around riverbanks.
READ MORE: High stream flow advisories issued for south central Alberta
More instability is expected for Calgary and area for the remainder of the weekend, however by Monday temperatures should get back to seasonal with sunshine forecasted for the rest of the week.
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