Severe thunderstorms could put damper on hot weather across southern Alberta

Calgary could be getting some relief from extreme high temperatures Monday as Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the city,along with warnings and watches for several other communities in southern and central Alberta.

Heat warnings were in effect for Calgary and southern Alberta, with the temperature forecast to get up to 31 C. But at 4:20 p.m., Environment Canada issued athunderstorm warning, saying the storm could be capable of producing very strong wind gusts, toonie-sized hail and heavy rain. The warning was downgraded to a watch shortly after 6 p.m.

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The agency said thunderstorms have developed in Alberta that are expected to move south throughout the evening. Severe thunderstorms could persist until late evening hours before weakening, Environment Canada said.

One of the thunderstorms was located 20 kilometres west of downtown Calgary, moving southeast at 30 km/h, and another was45 kilometres northeast of Calgary and moving southeast at 30 km/h.

Loonie-sized hail was reported with the first storm.

The agency is also warning people in the affected areas to take precautions if they're going to be out in the heat, including taking breaks inside cooled buildings and drinking plenty of water.

"Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion," Environment Canada says on its website.

"Do not leave any person or pet inside a closed vehicle, for any length of time."

Heat warnings are also in effect for:

• Whitecourt - Edson - Fox Creek - Swan Hills.
• Westlock - Barrhead - Athabasca.
• Spruce Grove - Morinville - Mayerthorpe - Evansburg.
• Fort Saskatchewan - Vegreville - Redwater - Smoky Lake.
• Drayton Valley - Devon - Rimbey - Pigeon Lake.
• Edmonton - St. Albert - Sherwood Park.
• Leduc - Camrose - Wetaskiwin - Tofield.
• Lloydminster - Wainwright - Vermilion - Provost.
• Red Deer - Ponoka - Innisfail - Stettler.
• Hanna - Coronation - Oyen.
• Airdrie - Cochrane - Olds - Sundre.
• Drumheller - Three Hills.
• Okotoks - High River - Claresholm.
• Brooks - Strathmore - Vulcan.

A full list of heat and storm warnings is available on the Environment Canada website.

Calgary reached a high of 31.3 C under a smoky sky at 3 p.m.

The city is expected to heat up again on Wednesday, reaching a high of 32 C, before cooling off again to the mid-20s for the rest of the week.

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