Severe thunderstorms sweep through Alberta Monday evening
Summer-like conditions have arrived in Western Canada, but they're also preparing the ground for active weather, with an ideal setup for severe storms to develop in areas of Alberta through Monday
A severe storm setup is taking shape in Alberta on Monday, with large hail, heavy downpours, and damaging winds the main threats across the province.
A cold front draped across the province will be the catalyst for the severe weather late in the afternoon into the evening.
The first severe thunderstorm warnings of the day were issued late Monday afternoon along parts of the Foothills, west of the QE2 south of Edmonton, as well as just north of Lethbridge.
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Be sure to stay weather-aware and alert to all of the watches and warnings in your area as conditions quickly change throughout the evening.
Monday's storm risk includes 100 km/h winds and loonie-sized hail
Monday's severe weather potential is heightened with the development of a trough across the province.
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Both a stronger upper level of support, and the warm temperatures setting in will enhance the instability, allowing the cold front to be the trigger for the storms.
A strong line of storms is expected to sweep over the province, with central Alberta between Edmonton and Calgary serving as its main development area.
Severe storms are likely to produce strong gusts up to 100 km/h, heavy rain, and loonie-sized hail in the most developed storms.
There is lower confidence with the severity of the storms, but high confidence that the bulk of the thunderstorm activity will be between 4-8 p.m. local time.
Expect rain to follow the storms across the province, forming around central and middle Alberta, with some of the rain across eastern British Columbia, as well.
Temperatures will trend warmer-than-normal for the final week of May and into June, with an increasing potential for a couple very hot days. No major storm systems are in sight, but there will be some showers and thunderstorms at times, though with drier than normal conditions across the region.
Stay tuned to The Weather Network for the latest forecast updates for Alberta.