Red tornado warning lifted for central Alberta

Thunderstorm that produced tornado threatened multiple communities, like Rocky Mountain House

Environment Canada has lifted a red tornado warning that, at one point, affected three counties in central Alberta.

The weather agency initially issued the warning for Clearwater County late Saturday afternoon, as meteorologists tracked a "dangerous thunderstorm" that they worried could produce a tornado — and had a few communities in its path, including Rocky Mountain House, a town about 160 kilometres southwest of Edmonton.

Around 7:15 p.m. MT, the warning was expanded to include parts of Lacombe and Ponoka counties, as the storm headed northeast toward the hamlet of Leedale.

According to Alberta Emergency Alerts, the hours-long warning ended around 8:15 p.m. Saturday, as tornadoes associated with the alert were no longer expected in the region.

While tracking the storm, Environment Canada warned it could also bring damaging winds, large hail and intense rain.

The weather agency advised people to take cover immediately in a basement, "interior room, or sturdy shelter." If no such shelter was available, they directed the public to lie in a low spot and protect their heads from debris.

The Northern Tornadoes Project, based out of Western University in London, Ont., confirmed that a tornado occurred around Rocky Mountain House, according to a Facebook post late Saturday evening.

It has received some damage reports and will send a team based in Olds, Alta., to the region Sunday to investigate further, the post said.