Cochranites kept their eyes to the sky yesterday as weather warnings kept flip flopping between thunderstorm warnings and watches and even a tornado warning.

If you think there's been a lot of extreme weather warnings and watches in the area lately, you're right.

And we're probably going to be in for more of it as summer isn't even half over yet.

Warning Preparedness Meteorologist with Environment Canada, Natalie Hasell says yesterday they ended up issuing a few severe thunderstorm warnings and watches as well as a tornado warning.

"We had several thunderstorms through the general area and the environment in which they developed made them severe or potentially severe storms."

Hassell says there was a mixed bag of weather for several parts in and around Cochrane.

"We had reports of hail, we had reports of tornadoes, looking at some of the photos that were sent to us, clear signs of rotations in the storm and I think one video that looked very much like a tornado."

We are still waiting to find out whether or not a tornado did indeed touch down near Springbank yesterday but meteorologists are investigating that today.

Hassell warns that summer isn't even half over yet and we could still be in for more severe weather. 

"We're not anywhere near the end of the season. The peak of the season is July so if it seems like it's been particularly active lately that's actually true. But, August is almost as busy and the season can even extend into September and October some years."

"The prairies are very active through this time period and unfortunately southern Alberta has been hit with some very severe storms."

We were spared for the most part here in Cochrane but heavy rains and hail did pummel areas to the east of us including Springbank and in Harmony.

Hassell is reminding us to report any severe weather to Environment Canada by tagging them at #ABstorm, emailing at abstorm@canada.ca or calling them at 1 (800) 239-0484

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