Severe tornado strikes in close proximity to Drayton Valley, leaving destruction in its wake as tempests devastate central and northwestern Alberta.
As of July 2, 2025, Alberta is experiencing heightened tornado risk due to severe thunderstorm conditions. Here's a detailed summary of the affected areas, current status, and recommended safety precautions.
**Affected Areas**
A tornado watch remains active in multiple regions across Alberta, including Woodlands County near Fort Assiniboine, Timeu, and Topland. Previously, tornado warnings were issued for Brazeau County, Cynthia, Lodgepole, Breton, Drayton Valley, and surrounding areas southwest of Edmonton, as well as for Yellowhead County near Minnow and Wolf Lakes and Elk River, 45 km southeast of Edson.
**Current Status**
The greatest risk for tornado development is typically between 5:00 PM and 8:00 PM local time. Recent tornado warnings southwest of Edmonton have been lifted, but no confirmation was provided regarding a tornado touching down in those areas. Central Alberta, including Grande Prairie, Hinton, and Whitecourt, faces risks of damaging hail, strong winds, and a low-to-moderate tornado threat with brief spin-up tornadoes possible.
**Safety Precautions**
It is crucial to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada for updates. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris, or threatening weather, take immediate shelter:
- Go indoors to the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows. - Use a basement, bathroom, stairwell, or interior closet. - Avoid mobile homes, vehicles, tents, and trailers.
Remember that strong winds, large hail, and heavy rain are possible with these storms. Protect yourself from flying debris and stay indoors until the threat has passed. To report severe weather, send an email to the provided Environment Canada address or call the emergency line.
Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. If a tornado does develop, an Alberta Emergency alert will be sent to mobile phones in the affected area.
Stay informed and take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued for your area. Anyone in the watch region should be on alert for severe storms and have a plan for safe shelter. The tornado watch includes areas from Edson/Drayton Valley and Rimbey northeast through Whitecourt and Barrhead.
While the tornado watch remains in effect for areas west of Edmonton through the early evening hours, the vast majority of the region will not see a tornado. Most of central and northern Alberta, including the city of Edmonton, remain under a severe thunderstorm watch. Thunderstorms have prompted warnings in parts of central and northwestern Alberta.
It is essential to stay vigilant and prepared. For the latest updates on these warnings, check the Environment & Climate Change Canada app or website. A reminder that if a thunderstorm does develop, an Alberta Emergency alert will be sent to mobile phones in the affected area.
In the current weather-forecasting, Environment Canada has warned that tornado risk remains high in various regions of Alberta, including Woodlands County and surrounding areas. To ensure safety, individuals must monitor climate and environment news, particularly tornado watches and warnings, and be prepared to take immediate shelter if necessary.
