Severe Weather Alert: Thunderstorm South of Calgary Triggers Urgent Warning
Calgary, Alberta – June 16, 2025 — Environment Canada has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for areas south of Calgary, as meteorologists track a fast-moving storm cell capable of producing damaging wind gusts, toonie-sized hail, and torrential rain.
At 3:08 p.m. MDT, weather authorities observed a severe thunderstorm approximately 10 kilometers south of Mini Thni, heading east at 20 km/h. This system poses a serious risk to communities in its path, including areas in and around Calgary, Alberta.
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Why Calgary Residents Should Take This Warning Seriously
Environment Canada issues Severe Thunderstorm Warnings when dangerous weather conditions are either imminent or already occurring. In this case, meteorologists detected potential for:
- Wind gusts reaching 90 km/h or more, capable of structural damage
- Hailstones up to the size of a toonie, which can dent vehicles and injure people or animals caught outside
- Heavy rainfall, which may cause localized flooding and dangerously reduced visibility on roads
Residents in southern Alberta, including those in Calgary, are urged to monitor weather alerts closely and take safety precautions.
Recommended Safety Measures for Calgary and Surrounding Areas
If you’re in or near Calgary, here’s what you need to do:
- Seek immediate shelter if you hear thunder or see lightning nearby
- Avoid open areas, hilltops, or any locations where you’re exposed to wind or hail
- Stay away from windows inside your home or vehicle
- If driving, pull over safely if visibility becomes poor or hail begins to fall
Flying debris from strong winds and large hailstones can pose a serious hazard to anyone caught outdoors. Those in rural areas south of Calgary, including Mini Thni and other nearby communities, should be especially vigilant.
Understanding the Thunderstorm Risk in Alberta
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings in Alberta are triggered when radar, satellite, or eyewitness reports confirm one or more of the following dangerous conditions:
- Wind gusts of at least 90 km/h
- Hailstones of 2 cm or more in diameter
- Heavy rainfall that meets Environment Canada’s severe rainfall criteria
The current warning meets all three benchmarks, making this one of the more intense summer weather events to impact southern Alberta so far in 2025.
Outlook for Calgary and Southern Alberta Weather
While this particular storm cell is moving eastward, additional storm development is possible throughout the afternoon and evening hours, depending on temperature and humidity levels in the Calgary region. Environment Canada continues to monitor the situation and will issue further warnings if necessary.
What’s Next for Calgary Residents
As Calgary continues to experience increasingly volatile summer weather, residents are encouraged to keep mobile devices charged, ensure emergency kits are ready, and stay informed via local news, Environment Canada, or weather alert apps.
Stay safe and take immediate shelter if threatening weather approaches.
