Cochrane has seen a lot of active weather in recent weeks and has been under severe thunderstorm 'Watches' and 'Warnings' on a daily basis.

Environment and Climate Change Canada Meteorologist, Kyle Fougere says that while there's no doubt that summer has arrived here in Southern Alberta, so has storm season.

"July is our peak month for thunderstorms here in Alberta -- so we do tend to get a lot of activity," says Fougere. "On average we issue severe weather reports on about 45 per cent of the days in July."

While July does see more storm activity than the rest of the summer months, Fougere says that the rest of the summer isn't far behind. He says that the Foothills is the biggest storm trigger in the province, and because of our proximity to the Foothills, we'll see active weather well into August.

"It's basically an ideal area for thunderstorm growth," says Fougere. "Uneven heating of the ground between the Foothills and the Prairies creates a circulation and that's really what helps these thunderstorms to form."

He says that the wide stretch between Calgary and Red Deer is commonly referred to as "hail alley." Damaging golfball-sized hail is something else we've gotten accustomed to here in Southern Alberta. Fougere says that hail is just one of the many reasons why so many watches are issued for our area.

Fougere explains that during peak thunderstorm season, watches are issued when all the ingredients are in place for severe outcomes like hail, lightning and even tornadoes.

"That's when it's time to make a plan of action for what to do should a severe thunderstorm or tornado threaten your area."

Fougere says that when that 'Watch' turns into a 'Warning' the active weather is really close and you may not have much time to escape it.

He warns that lightning often comes along with severe thunderstorms and says that when you hear any signs of thunder rumbling, the lightning is close and it's time to seek protection from the storm.