Strong Severe Thunderstorm Risk for Central & Southern Alberta on Thursday
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As we continue to experience temperatures in the 30s across Alberta, relief is on the way with cooler temperatures moving into the Northwestern regions of the province Thursday and spreading southward throughout the day. This cooler air, however, will trigger the development of some strong severe storms in parts of Central and Southern Alberta beginning in the evening and continuing into the overnight hours.
The initial storm activity is anticipated to start in Central Alberta, in the Southern Foothills and into the Red Deer area around 5-7pm. These storms are expected to travel southeastward into the Drumheller region and Southern Alberta through the evening and overnight before crossing into Saskatchewan. Additional storm development could occur as the cooler air continues to push south into the Calgary area, resulting in strong storms eventually reaching Medicine Hat after midnight.
Models are suggesting that the environment will be favourable for the development of supercells that could produce up to golf ball sized hail or potentially even larger. Destructive wind gusts in excess of 120km/h are also a distinct possibility with these storms. At this time, the risk of a tornado seems isolated, but it can not be completely ruled out.
