Environment Canada said it was tracking a rotating thunderstorm - and issuing a tornado WARNING. At about 5:50 p.m. - the storm was located about 25 kilometres southeast of Leduc, and was moving northwest towards Leduc and southwest Edmonton.
Meteorologists had been tracking the same storm as it moved into Leduc County, from Camrose County and Wetaskiwin County within an hour.
That storm also showed the possibility of a tornado touching down before 6 p.m.
The WARNINGS came hours after a tornado WATCH was issued by Environment Canada early Monday afternoon for the cities of Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park.
Storms this afternoon were mainly developing in a line from near Red Deer NW to the Whitecourt Region and are drifting NNW.
According to CTV Chief Meteorologist Josh Classen, a number of the severe weather indicators point towards a risk of tornadoes from Severe Thunderstorms expected to develop SSE of the Edmonton region.
Those thunderstorms will likely make their way NNW towards the Capital Region, which explains why Edmonton is under the Tornado WATCH.
Josh reminds people that the word WATCH, as it relates to weather notifications, means there is a risk of that weather event happening, but it’s not a guarantee. The term WARNING is used only when conditions are imminent or occurring.
These severe thunderstorms also have the potential to produce very large hail, flooding rain, lightning and powerful winds.
There are no guarantees on WHERE exactly these severe storms will form, so now is a good time to secure any loose items in your yard & to alert your family members to the risk of severe weather.
Rain began this morning in the Jasper, Grande Cache and Edson regions and over northern sections of the Nordegg and Rocky Mountain House regions.
According to Environment Canada, rainfall amounts in excess of 50 millimetres are expected by Tuesday morning. Rain will continue through the day Tuesday when additional amounts of 20 to 40 millimetres are expected.
The heavy rain is expected to remain over west Central Alberta. The rain is expected to taper off Tuesday evening.
Should you spot a funnel cloud or tornado please call 1-800-239-0484 to report your sighting.