Red alert issued for dangerous storm near Claresholm, baseball-size hail possible
Environment Canada tracked an extremely dangerous thunderstorm moving southeast at 50 km/h through the Claresholm area, prompting an Alberta Emergency Alert.
Why it matters
Residents across south central Alberta faced a rapidly escalating severe weather threat with the potential for large hail and damaging winds.
Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a rare RED alert on Monday evening for an extremely dangerous thunderstorm located over Claresholm and parts of the MD of Willow Creek. The storm was tracked moving southeast at 50 km/h as of 5:02 p.m. MDT, prompting a warning through the Alberta Emergency Alert system.
ECCC warned the storm could bring damaging wind gusts, hail as large as baseballs, and heavy rain, with driving conditions expected to be difficult. Areas identified as being at risk included Claresholm, Nobleford, Monarch and Stavely.
As the storm developed, alert levels shifted across the region. The Lethbridge, Taber, Vauxhall, Milk River and Cardston areas had their status upgraded from a Yellow alert to an Orange alert by 5:14 p.m. Much of south central Alberta remained under a Yellow alert for potential thunderstorm activity, with officials noting that warnings and watches could continue to change through the evening.
ECCC urged residents to take immediate cover if a thunderstorm approaches and, if caught outdoors, to protect themselves from flying debris and hail.
Compiled by the Alberta Daily Desk — an AI-written summary of reporting from the credited sources below, produced and reviewed under our editorial policy.