There is a risk of thunderstorms in Foothills County this afternoon.
But, according to Environment and Climate Change Canada Scientist, Christy Climenhaga, there will be even more severe thunderstorms east and northeast of Calgary.
"When we're looking at the risk to the Okotoks area, you are seeing the risk of thunderstorms through the afternoon hours. Severe risk for thunderstorms looks to be a little bit further to the east and northeast of the Okotoks area," Climenhaga says.
In that region, some supercells could develop large hail and even some tornadic activity this afternoon.
"So, something to keep in mind if you are in that region. In Okotoks, though, it looks like you're a little bit outside that main risk area, but very close by."
Currently, there is a severe thunderstorm watch for several areas, which include:
Kananaskis Improvement District near Highwood House, Alta.
Foothills Co. near Priddis and Brown-Lowery Prov. Park, Alta.
Foothills Co. near Diamond Valley, Alta.
Foothills Co. near Longview and Eden Valley Res., Alta.
Foothills Co. near Okotoks and De Winton, Alta.
Foothills Co. near High River and Aldersyde, Alta.
Foothills Co. near Cayley, Alta.
M.D. of Willow Creek near Nanton and Parkland, Alta.
M.D. of Willow Creek near Claresholm and Stavely, Alta.
Foothills Co. near Blackie, Alta.
Siksika Res. 146, Alta.
Vulcan Co. near Arrowwood, Herronton, and Queenstown, Alta.
Vulcan Co. near Vulcan and Ensign, Alta.
Vulcan Co. near Carmangay and Champion, Alta.
Vulcan Co. near Lomond Travers and Little Bow Reservoirs, Alta.
Vulcan Co. near Milo, Alta.
Conditions are favourable in the area for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that could produce damaging wind gusts, damaging hail, and heavy rain.
For the areas east and northeast of us that have the risk of a tornado, there will be elements there that could produce storms with rotation that could produce a tornado.
"That's where we just have the right shear, the right energy, the right lift just to potentially produce those storms that could have a tornado," Climenhaga says.
Climenhaga says they will be monitoring the storms as they progress, keeping an eye out for how they are building energy, seeing if there is any rotation, and may issue a tornado watch if the signs are there.
"But, it doesn't necessarily mean that every storm will have that rotation. It just puts that risk there," Climenhaga added.
In the Foothills region, thunderstorms could start popping up in the early afternoon, and Climenhaga says they will start to drift towards the east, and the best chance for a supercell storm will be a bit later in the afternoon.
While the Okotoks area isn't in the path of the strongest storms, Climenhaga suggests people make sure they have a way of receiving watches and warnings, and heed the advice from those warnings.
"Because, things can change very quickly when we get into severe weather days."
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