A rare thunderstorm swept across southern Alberta, toppling power lines, damaging cars, and cutting electricity as it travelled more than 500 km into Saskatchewan.
Storm Batters Southern Alberta
A powerful thunderstorm tore through southern Alberta on Wednesday evening, downing power lines, damaging vehicles, and leaving thousands without electricity. Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning shortly after 5 p.m., warning residents of baseball-sized hail, strong winds, and heavy rainfall.
Path of Destruction
The storm, first spotted west of Brooks, Alta., around 5:30 p.m., quickly moved east into Vulcan County and Newell County before heading toward Cypress County. Communities along its path reported road closures and stranded motorists as high winds disabled cars and blocked major routes.
Highway Closures Reported
RCMP confirmed by 7 p.m. that both eastbound and westbound lanes of Highway 36 at Highway 1 were impassable. Officers advised drivers to avoid the area and monitor 511 Alberta for the latest road closure updates. Traffic disruptions continued as emergency crews worked through the evening to restore access.
Power Outages Widespread
Fortis Alberta reported multiple outages across its southern service areas. Repair crews were dispatched Wednesday night to restore power to affected homes and businesses. Officials urged residents to remain cautious near fallen power lines and to report hazards immediately.
Rare Prairie Storm
Freelance climate journalist Kyle Brittain noted the storm travelled more than 500 kilometres—from its origins in the foothills west of High River around 2:30 p.m. to south of Saskatoon by 9 p.m. Such long-lived systems are rare, driven by unstable air and strong winds across the Prairies.
Transmission Towers Buckled
Among the storm’s most severe impacts were several high-voltage transmission towers near the Highway 36 corridor, which collapsed under winds exceeding 110 km/h. Brittain explained that such structural damage typically occurs during extreme weather events like blizzards but is unusual during summer storms.
Continuing Threat
As the system pushed into Saskatchewan late Wednesday, damaging winds and large hail remained a concern. Environment Canada continued to warn residents in the storm’s path to stay indoors and monitor weather alerts until conditions improved.
For continuous coverage and real-time updates, keep following Maple News Wire.
