Severe thunderstorms with destructive hail target Alberta on Monday
Environment and Climate Change Canada warns of wind gusts up to 130 km/h and hail the size of golf balls for parts of southern Alberta including Calgary.
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Severe thunderstorms are forecast across Alberta on Monday, August 10, with the most destructive potential concentrated in a high-risk zone south and east of Edmonton.
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Storm Prediction Centre has identified a large high-risk area including Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, Cochrane, Brooks, and Vulcan. In those cities, thunderstorms could produce wind gusts up to 130 kilometres an hour, hail up to five centimetres in size — the equivalent of a golf ball — and rainfall totals of up to 50 millimetres.
Areas northwest of Edmonton, including Grande Prairie, Peace River, Whitecourt, and Edson, sit under a moderate weather risk. Those areas may see hail up to 2.5 centimetres, wind gusts up to 70 kilometres an hour, and up to 40 millimetres of rain.
Edmonton itself, along with Lloydminster, Banff, Jasper, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge, faces a minor weather risk. Wind gusts could reach 80 kilometres an hour, with hail up to two centimetres — about the size of a penny — and rainfall of up to 20 millimetres.
The thunderstorm risk continues into overnight hours Monday into Tuesday. Early Tuesday's outlook shows a minor risk, with Lloydminster and Medicine Hat carrying the strongest potential for 80 km/h winds, two-centimetre hail, and 20 millimetres of rain.
Residents can check for current weather watches and warnings on the ECCC website.
The facts
Which Alberta cities face the highest thunderstorm risk on August 10, 2026?
Calgary, Airdrie, Okotoks, Chestermere, Cochrane, Brooks, and Vulcan are in the high-risk zone south and east of Edmonton where the most destructive thunderstorms are forecast.
How large could hail get in the high-risk zone?
Hail in high-risk areas like Calgary could reach up to five centimetres in size, equivalent to a golf ball.
What wind speeds are forecast for Edmonton on August 10, 2026?
Edmonton faces a minor weather risk with wind gusts that could reach 80 kilometres an hour.
How much rain could fall in the high-risk zone?
Rainfall totals in high-risk areas could reach up to 50 millimetres.
