Severe thunderstorm watch issues – again – for the Lakeland

A satellite image at 2:10pm of the anticipated showers that could be arriving this afternoon into this evening. Image: Environment Canada. 

Environment Canada is once again issuing a severe thunderstorm watch for the Lakeland region.

The watch is in effect for areas in the M.D. of Bonnyville, St. Paul County, Lac La Biche County, and Smoky Lake County near Vilna and Saddle Lake.

They say there’s a 60 per cent chance of showers and a risk of a severe thunderstorm.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” the watch said.

The storm would be coming from the southwest.

Slow-moving storms may produce up to 50 mm of rain this afternoon and early this evening.

If the rain comes, it might stay into the evening, as the forecast predicts 60 per cent chance of showers, partly cloudy with the risk of a thunderstorm. Environment Canada says it will clear later this evening with a low of 13 degrees.