Critical alert and several watches issued for possible tornadoes in Alberta Monday

After a tornado touched down near Coronation, Sunday, Alberta Emergency Alert has released another warning of severe weather for the province.

Critical alerts were issued for a possible tornado in Clearwater County, Alta., Rocky Mountain House and Red Deer County, respectively, Monday afternoon and early evening.

The alert stated rotating thunderstorms moving through the areas were possibly producing tornadoes, however, no tornadoes touched down, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada.

As of 7:30 p.m., all tornado alerts from AEA were cancelled, and much of the province is under severe thunderstorm watch.

Large hail — up to the size of a softball — have been reportedly hitting down near Markerville, as a result of these storms, according to ECCC.

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There continue to be tornado watches in place for several other areas of central Alberta, including Rocky Mountain House, Red Deer, Ponoka, Innisfail and Settler.

Several southern Alberta regions are also under a tornado watch, including Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Sundre.

Damaging winds, very large hail and heavy rain are also possible for all the affected areas.

Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.

0:35 Tornado touches down in southern Alberta

If severe weather approaches, officials state residents should go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from any outside windows and walls.

“Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter and move to a strong building if you can,” the weather alert reads. “As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”

Alberta is no stranger to severe weather. In fact, in an average summer, Environment Canada fields more than 100 reports and issues more than 1,500 watches and warnings.

In 2019, the province reported 23 tornados. In 2020, that number was 17.

3:24 Severe weather in Alberta: Golf ball-sized hail smashes cars along major highway

— With files from Emily Mertz, Global News