Thunderstorms bring golf-ball hail, heavy rain to Alberta
Two regions under moderate weather risk Friday with wind gusts up to 90 km/h and rainfall totals of 50mm possible.
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Parts of Alberta face significant thunderstorm risk Friday afternoon and into the weekend, with large hail and heavy rain expected across multiple regions.
Environment and Climate Change Canada identified two moderate weather risk areas. The largest stretches along the central Foothills, bleeding into Red Deer and areas north of Calgary and the Grande Prairie region, where wind gusts could reach 90 kilometres an hour and hail could grow to four centimetres — golf-ball size. Rainfall totals of 50 millimetres are also possible.
The second moderate risk zone covers southeastern Alberta near Medicine Hat, with similar wind speeds and hail up to three centimetres. Other parts of the province including Edmonton, Calgary, Lloydminster, Peace River, and High Level may see thunderstorms producing wind gusts up to 70 kilometres an hour, hail up to two centimetres, and rainfall of up to 50 millimetres.
Heavy rain is forecast overnight Friday through Sunday, with widespread totals of 40 to 70 millimetres anticipated. With ground already saturated from storms last weekend and June rainfall well above normal, additional precipitation increases the risk of overland flooding, washouts, and infrastructure damage. Rainfall warnings will be issued for some central Alberta areas later Friday.
