Tornado watch issued for Edmonton and region

Tornado funnel

Edmonton - A tornado watch has been issued for the City of Edmonton, and surrounding areas. 

Areas under a tornado watch early Monday afternoon are: Edmonton, St. Albert, Sherwood Park, Spruce Grove, Morinville, Mayerthorpe, Evansburg, Fort Saskatchewan, Vegreville, Redwater, Smoky Lake, Leduc, Camrose, Wetaskiwin, Tofield, Westlock, Barrhead, and Athabasca. 

A tornado watch means conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms with the potential to produce tornadoes. 

These severe thunderstorms will also have the potential to produce very large hail, flooding rain, lightning, and powerful winds. 

Environment Canada advises people to use this time to secure outdoor property and to ensure family members and co-workers are prepared to take action should the severe weather approach.

Environment Canada continues to monitor the situation closely for severe thunderstorm development and possible tornado warnings. 

Should severe weather approach or if you feel threatened do not wait for warnings to take action. Take shelter immediately.

Earlier Monday, Environment Canada advised that wet weather is sweeping across central Alberta, with areas west of the city expected to be under a rainfall warning for most of Monday.

The warning area covers a large portion of west-central Alberta, including Whitecourt, Fox Creek, Swan Hills, Edson, Hinton, Grande Cache and Jasper.

A low pressure system brought rain into the region Monday, with more than 50 millimetres of rain possible by Tuesday morning, according to Environment Canada. Rain is expected to continue through most of the day Tuesday, resulting in an additional 20 to 30 mm of rain, before tapering off in the evening. In total, up to 90 mm could fall.

Recent wet weather, including heavy rain, is believed to have caused a mudslide that forced the closure of a portion of the Trans-Canada Highway on Friday, stranding motorists and travellers.

Wet weather is also possible for Edmonton and surrounding regions, which are under a severe thunderstorm watch, with the potential for damaging winds and large hail.