A tornado warning has been lifted for parts of Yellowhead County in west central and south central Alberta.
At just after 6:15 p.m., Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the tornado warning, saying eyewitnesses reported a funnel cloud 25 kilometres northwest of Cynthia, Alta., just after 6 p.m.
Tennis ball size hail has also been reported during the storm.
The federal agency issued the warning of a tornado in the eastern part of Yellowhead County and advised extra care and attention should be exercised in and around:
- MacKay, Alta.
- Cynthia, Alta.
- Evansburg, Alta.
- Peers, Alta.
- Niton Junction, Alta.
The warning was lifted later in the evening.
At around 6 p.m., ECCC also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Wildwood, Alta.
ECCC said the situation is dangerous and could threaten lives.
If threatening weather approaches, citizens should take cover immediately.
“If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately,” ECCC wrote.
According to Environment Canada, if a tornado warning is issued, people in the affected region should go inside a home or building to a “room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.”
“Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can,” the weather agency said. “As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”
A tornado watch was issued for a number of areas west of Edmonton and elsewhere in central Alberta shortly before 2:30 p.m.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes,” Environment Canada said in a post on its website. “The most favourable time frame for tornado development will be later this afternoon into this evening as the thunderstorms move northeast across north-central Alberta.
“Hailstones up to baseball size will accompany any severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado.”
The weather agency described the tornado risk as “a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation.”
“Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.”
While a tornado watch is a serious advisory that should be taken seriously by people in areas where one is issued, Global Edmonton weather specialist Phil Darlington said it is important to note a tornado watch differs from a tornado warning.
“A severe weather watch is not for an ongoing storm with those dangerous elements, but to make everyone aware that the conditions are prime in a location to create a storm capable of those dangerous elements,” he said.
“People in any of the affected regions should be on the lookout for incoming storms and be ready to find a way to take shelter immediately.”
For a complete list of areas in Alberta under a weather alert, click here.
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–with files from Adam Toy and Paula Tran, Global News