Red tornado warning expanded to 3 central Alberta counties

Red tornado warning expanded to 3 central Alberta counties

Thunderstorm producing a tornado passed Rocky Mountain House, moving toward hamlet of Leedale

Environment Canada has extended a red tornado warning it issued Saturday to include parts of three counties in central Alberta.

Meteorologists are tracking a "dangerous thunderstorm" producing a tornado, which had passed by Rocky Mountain House, a town in Clearwater County about 160 kilometres southwest of Edmonton, around 7 p.m. MT.

About 15 minutes later, the weather agency expanded its warning to include parts of Lacombe and Ponoka counties, as the storm is heading northeast at 25 km/h, according to the latest alerts.

"This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation," Environment Canada says.

The hamlet of Leedale is in the storm's path, the alert says.

The storm could also bring damaging winds, large hail and intense rain.

The weather agency advises people to take cover immediately in a basement, "interior room, or sturdy shelter" when this type of weather approaches.

If no shelter is available, people should lie in a low spot and protect their head from debris, the alert says.