Severe thunderstorm warning and watch in effect for Lakeland

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Lakeland region.

Environment Canada issued the release just after 2pm Thursday afternoon, issuing a severe thunderstorm warning for the County of St. Paul and near Smoky Lake at 2:37pm.

This thunderstorm is 30 km northwest of St. Paul and is moving towards the southeast at 35 km/h.

The Bonnyville and Cold Lake region is under just a thunderstorm watch at the moment.

Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to toonie size hail and heavy rain.

Storm spotters reported loonie size hail near Kikino around 1:45pm.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain in the M.D. of Bonnyville and Lac La Biche County.

Showers with thunderstorms and risk of a severe thunderstorm are expected today with a heavy northwest wind gusting up to 40km/h.

Tonight, a few showers with thunderstorms ending overnight, then mainly cloudy. There is still a risk of a severe thunderstorm this evening.