Thunderstorm risk for central Alberta on Canada Day
Environment Canada issued severe thunderstorms watches and warnings Friday morning for parts of central Alberta and the capital region.
As of publication, watches were in place for Drayton Valley, Devon, Pigeon Lake, Leduc, Wetaskiwin and Tofield.
Edmonton and surrounding areas, including St. Albert, Spruce Grove, Mayerthorpe, and Fort Saskatchewan, were previously included in watches that were dropped around 4 p.m.
Areas east of Edmonton extending to Lloydminster and Vermilion were initially placed under severe thunderstorm warnings. By 4 p.m., those were downgraded to watches and then ultimately dropped later in the evening.
A watch means conditions are favourable for the development of storms or severe weather, whereas a warning is issued by Environment Canada once severe weather is either occurring or is very likely to occur.
The Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre says thunderstorm development could be "swift" in some regions, with storms capable of producing two to three-centimetre hail, large wind gusts, heavy downpours, and potential funnel clouds.
"Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing large hail, strong wind gusts, heavy rain and funnel clouds today," the severe thunderstorm watch read.
According to the national weather agency, funnel cloud sightings should be treated seriously.
"Landspout tornadoes do not usually cause significant damage but can still be dangerous," Environment Canada added. "They can be strong enough to topple trees, damage roofs or toss debris short distances."
Those types of funnel clouds can be generated by rotation under strengthening thunderstorms, but are normally not a danger near the ground, Environment Canada says. If conditions are right, rotation can intensify to become a short-lived tornado.
On Wednesday, funnel clouds were spotted south of Edmonton .
To report severe weather or a potential funnel cloud sighting, send an email to Environment Canada at ABstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet using #ABStorm.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Tropical fish stolen from Beachburg, Ont. restaurant found and returned
Ontario Provincial Police have landed a suspect following a fishy theft in Beachburg, Ont.
U.S. FAA launches investigation into unauthorized personnel in cockpit of Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto
The U.S.’s Federal Aviation Administration is investigating a video that appears to show unauthorized personnel in the cockpit of a charted Colorado Rockies flight to Toronto.