UPDATE: Environment Canada has ended the severe thunderstorm watch.

A severe thunderstorm watch is now in effect for Cochrane and the surrounding area.  

The watch includes the following areas:

  • Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville
  • Mountain View Co. near Cremona and Water Valley
  • Mountain View Co. near Olds and Didsbury
  • Mountain View Co. near Sundre
  • Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield
  • Rocky View Co. near Bottrel and Madden
  • Rocky View Co. near Cochrane

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail, and heavy rain. A developing low-pressure system will bring rain, strong winds, and thunderstorms to much of central Alberta today.  Some of these thunderstorms may become severe in nature.

The watch says that large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees, and overturn large vehicles.

It advises that severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.  Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. 

Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. The expression to remember is, 'when thunder roars, go indoors!' 

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.