Severe thunderstorms that developed in the Alberta foothills moved east across the Prairies Wednesday night, and Environment Canada said one of those storms possibly produced a tornado.
Tornado warning ends
Environment Canada first issued the tornado warning around 6:30 p.m. for south-central Alberta, and it was in place for about an hour and a half.
The storm was first spotted over the O’Chiese 203 First Nation and then was tracked as it moved towards Alder Flats at 40 km/h. It later slowed to 30 km/h as it approached Buck Lake.
Environment Canada said other affected communities included Clearwater County, Sunchild 202 First Nation and Wetaskiwin County No. 10.
The previous communities in the path of the possible tornado included Wolf Lake, Cynthia, Brazeau Dam and parts of Brazeau County, Drayton Valley, Breton and Winfield.
The thunderstorm was initially said to be capable of producing up to baseball-size hail, however as the evening progressed, that was downgraded to golf-ball size hail.
The tornado warning ended around 8 p.m., however a large area between the foothills and Edmonton remained under a tornado watch (scroll down for list.)
Severe thunderstorm warnings, tornado watches
Advisories were issued earlier Wednesday as weather conditions became favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes. Alberta Emergency Alerts began coming out just after 6 p.m.
Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings, as well as tornado watches, were in effect for several areas of central Alberta to the south, west and north of Edmonton.
Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.
Tornado watches began being issued just after 6 p.m. by Environment Canada for Leduc County, Ponoka County, Brazeau County, Clearwater County, and the County of Wetaskiwin.
In included areas in and around the communities of Devon, Calmar, Drayton Valley, Warburg, Breton, Thorsby, Rimbey, Crestomere and Pigeon Lake, Rocky Mountain House and Caroline.
In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is recommended you take the following actions:
- Go indoors 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
- As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris
Just after 7 p.m., the city of Edmonton was also placed under a severe thunderstorm watch.
It also extended to areas around the east of the city, including areas near Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville and Camrose.
Another different storm cell from the one possibly producing the tornado developed in Yellowhead County around 7:30 p.m.
Environment Canada said its meteorologists were tracking a severe storm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel-size hail and heavy rain.
This thunderstorm was located 20 km southeast of Edson and is moving northeast at 40 km/h.
— This is a breaking news story. More to come…
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