Severe thunderstom watch issued for Edmonton, much of Alberta

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a number of regions in Alberta, including Edmonton, St. Albert and Sherwood Park, Whitecourt, Edson, Fox Creek, Swan Hills, Westlock, Barrhead, Athabasca, Spruce Grove, Morinville, Mayerthorpe, Evansburg, Drayton Valley, Devon, Rimbey, Pigeon Lake, Leduc, Camrose, Wetaskiwin, Tofield, Red Deer, Ponoka, Innisfail, Stettler.

According the notice, which was issued on Thursday morning, there is the potential for a severe storm to develop on Thursday afternoon with large hail and damaging winds.

As of 2:30 on Thursday afternoon, the watch has been expanded to include Rocky Mountain House, Caroline, Brooks, Strathmore, Vulcan, Hanna, Coronation, Oyen, Medicine Hat, Bow Island, Suffield, Cypress Hills Provincial Park and Foremost.

In addition to the severe thunderstorm watch, a rainfall warning has been issued for Peace River, Fairview, High Prairie, Slave Lake, Grande Prairie, Beaverlodge Manning, Wabasca, Peerless Lake, Gift Lake, Cadotte Lake.