SUNDRE — Environment Canada has just issued a tornado warning in Mountain View County near the Sundre area.
Officials urge anyone in the area to “be on the lookout for adverse weather condition and take necessary safety precautions.”
An Alberta Emergency Alert issued at 2:50 p.m. has also reported the possibility of tornado in the Sundre area and issued a critical warning.
A severe thunderstorm warning in the same area had been issued about half an hour prior to the tornado warning issued at 2:35. p.m.
“Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a dangerous thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to golf ball size hail and heavy rain,” reads a portion of the statement on the Environment Canada website.
“This thunderstorm is located near Sundre and is nearly stationary. It may produce a tornado," said the warning.
"This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately," the tornado warning added.
Tornado warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing tornadoes.
There were also severe thunderstorm watches announced in Mountain View County as well as Rocky View County areas near:
• Carstairs and Stirlingville;
• Cremona and Water Valley;
• Olds and Didsbury;
• Airdrie and Crossfield;
• Bottrel and Madden; and
• Cochrane.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain,” reads part of the statement.
People are encouraged to monitor updates to the latest public forecasts. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ABStorm.