In addition to a heat warning, central Albertans will likely have to deal with severe thunderstorms Friday and Saturday.
A severe thunderstorm watch was issued at 10:32 a.m. Friday by Environment Canada, for much of central Alberta including City of Red Deer parts of Red Deer County, Sylvan Lake, Ponoka County near Maskwacis and Ponoka, Lacombe County near Lacombe, Alix, Clive and Mirror, parts of County of Stettler, Stettler and Bashaw.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain,” Environment Canada said in its watch alert.
Amazing lightning from tonight in #yyc!#abstorm #yycstorm #ShareYourWeather #Thunderstorms #Calgary #alberta @CTVdavidspence pic.twitter.com/jWz5XrDsok
— Storm Chasing Cat (@cgystormcat) July 2, 2021
Thunderstorms are expected to form over southwestern Alberta this afternoon and move eastward into the evening.
A heat warning was also in effect Friday. Environment Canada website said “A prolonged, dangerous, and historic heatwave will continue.”
Daytime highs are expected to be above 30 C and overnight lows will be above 15 into the weekend.
Several areas in central Alberta also hit record high temperatures on Canada Day. Camrose, Rocky Mountain House, Nordegg, Stettler, and Sundre all hit new highs. The Stettler area broke its previous temperature record set in 1977 of 29 degrees celsius, with a new high 36.2.
The hot conditions are expected to end by Sunday, as daytime highs drop near seasonal.
In Calgary overnight and early Friday morning, lightning and severe thunderstorms light up the sky.
Some of the snap shots from tonight's lightning! #yycstorm #yyc #abstorm pic.twitter.com/U4tDP5LQ89
— Storm Chasing Cat (@cgystormcat) July 2, 2021