Westlock, Alberta is under a thunderstorm risk Tuesday evening with winds expected to gust up to 40 km/h, according to Environment Canada. The forecast calls for a high of 23°C before showers and thunderstorms roll in through the evening.
The storms are expected to end near midnight, followed by clearing skies and an overnight low of 10°C. The humidex will make it feel like 26, and the UV index is forecast to hit 7, which is considered high.
This comes amid an exceptionally active severe weather season across Alberta. The province has already confirmed 27 tornadoes as of July 23, more than double the annual average of 11 or 12. That puts 2026 just three twisters short of the all-time record of 30 set in 1982.
The Westlock region has seen nine severe thunderstorm watches so far this year, seven of them in July alone. Two severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for the area, on May 24 and July 19.
Lightning kills about 10 Canadians each year and is responsible for more weather-related deaths than hail, rain, flooding, wind, tornadoes, and hurricanes combined, according to Alberta.ca. Residents are reminded to move indoors when thunder roars.
