Severe thunderstorm warning in effect for much of central Alberta including Calgary and Edmonton

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for a large area that includes of Alberta that includes the province’s two biggest cities.

“At 5:15 p.m. MT,  Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing very strong wind gusts,” reads the warning.

“This line of storms is located from Edmonton to west of Calgary and is moving 50 km/h to the east.”

The weather agency said strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall.

As of 5:30 p.m., there were severe thunderstorm watches and/or warnings in effect for communities included in these regions:

• Airdrie – Cochrane – Olds – Sundre
• Brooks – Strathmore – Vulcan
• City of Calgary
• City of Edmonton –  St. Albert — Sherwood Park
• Drayton Valley – Devon – Rimbey – Pigeon Lake
• Drumheller – Three Hills
• Fort Saskatchewan – Vegreville – Redwater – Smoky Lake
• Hinton – Grande Cache
• Leduc – Camrose – Wetaskiwin – Tofield
• Red Deer – Ponoka – Innisfail – Stettler
• Rocky Mountain House – Caroline
• Spruce Grove – Morinville – Mayerthorpe – Evansburg
• Westlock – Barrhead – Athabasca
• Whitecourt – Edson – Fox Creek – Swan Hills