Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Airdrie and parts of Rocky View County July 30 at 10:30 a.m. The watch includes Airdrie, Crossfield, Bottrel, Madden, Cochrane, Irricana, Beiseker and Kathyrn.
"Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain," the release stated. "Thunderstorms are expected to form this afternoon and last into this evening. Some of these thunderstorms may become severe."
According to Environment Canada, 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.
"Large hail can damage property and cause injury," the release stated. "Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes."
The organization reminds residents "lightning kills and injures Canadians every year," and advises Albertans to head indoors when a thunderstorm occurs.
More details on the alert are available here.
The latest status and details on all alerts can be found here: http://www.weather.gc.ca/warnings/index_e.html
