Wind warning issued for southern Alberta

Environment Canada issued a wind warning for the southwest corner of Alberta at around 3:30 p.m. Thursday.

The warning includes areas in and around the city of Lethbridge, Fort Macleod, Pincher Creek, Waterton, Okotoks and High River.

Environment Canada is forecasting strong wind gusts throughout the evening that are expected to weaken overnight.

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The threshold to issue a warning for that section of the province is slightly higher than other parts of the country. The national criteria for a wind warning is a sustained wind of 70 kilometres per hour or wind gusts in excess of 90 km/h.

The weather patterns in the southwest corner of Alberta frequently bring stronger winds through that region, so the threshold for a wind warning in that area is a sustained wind of 80 km/h or gusts in excess of 100 km/h.

The unofficial weather summary as of 6:30 p.m. showed peak wind gusts Thursday:

• Calgary International Airport: 36 km/h SW
• Crowsnest Pass: 61 km/h WNW
• Lethbridge: 68 km/h WNW
• Pincher Creek: 87 km/h WSW
• Waterton Park Gate: 93 km/h SW

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