(rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

severe thunderstorm watch

Thunderstorms possible for central Alberta Friday night

Jun 12, 2020 | 3:57 PM

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for most parts of central Alberta.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain, according to Environment Canada.

“Thunderstorms are developing along the foothills this afternoon. Thunderstorms will move to the northeast, and should dissipate before morning,” the weather advisory states.

“The main threats with any severe thunderstorms that develop today will be 2 to 3 cm hail and wind gusts up to 100 km/h.”

The watch is in effect for:

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• City of Red Deer
• Camrose Co. near Bashaw and Meeting Creek
• Co. of Paintearth near Halkirk and Big Knife Prov. Park
• Co. of Stettler near Big Valley
• Co. of Stettler near Botha and Gadsby
• Co. of Stettler near Byemoor and Endiang
• Co. of Stettler near Donalda
• Co. of Stettler near Stettler Nevis and Rochon Sands
• Flagstaff Co. near Forestburg and Galahad
• Lacombe Co. near Clive Alix and Mirror
• Lacombe Co. near Eckville
• Lacombe Co. near Lacombe Blackfalds and Bentley
• Ponoka Co. near Ponoka and Maskwacis
• Red Deer Co. near Elnora Lousana and Delburne
• Red Deer Co. near Penhold Innisfail and Bowden
• Red Deer Co. near Pine Lake
• Red Deer Co. near Spruce View and Red Lodge Prov. Park
• Red Deer Co. near Sylvan Lake and Stephansson House
• Brazeau Co. near Brazeau Dam
• Brazeau Co. near Cynthia and Lodgepole
• Brazeau Co. near Drayton Valley and Breton
• Clearwater Co. near Caroline and James River Bridge
• Clearwater Co. near Rocky Mtn House and Crimson Lake
• O’Chiese 203 Res. and Clearwater Co. near Sunchild Cree Res.
• Yellowhead Co. near Minnow and Wolf Lakes and Elk River–
• Co. of Wetaskiwin near Alder Flats and Winfield
• Co. of Wetaskiwin near Pigeon Lake
• Leduc Co. near Calmar and Devon
• Leduc Co. near Warburg Thorsby and Pigeon Lake
• Ponoka Co. near Crestomere
• Ponoka Co. near Rimbey Bluffton and Hoadley

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. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.

“Remember, 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.

The watch could change to a warning once thunderstorms are spotted.