Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for areas slammed by a tornado earlier this week.
The alert, posted at 10:25 a.m. Saturday, covers Rocky View and Mountain View counties, including Airdrie, Cochrane, Olds and Sundre.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” it reads. “Severe thunderstorms are possible this afternoon and evening.” One home was levelled and five others damaged when a storm swept through an area about 130 kilometres northwest of Calgary on Thursday afternoon.
Environment Canada said at least one tornado touched down, but the agency is still trying to gauge the storm’s strength through damage assessments.• Rocky View Co. near Airdrie and Crossfield;• Mountain View Co. near Carstairs and Stirlingville;• Mountain View Co. near Sundre. Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the development of storms that could produce large hail, damaging winds or torrential rainfall.