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By Curtis Galbraith
Weather

Lots of rain in the forecast this week, severe thunderstorm watches issued

Jul 24, 2023 | 2:35 PM

UPDATE: A special air quality statement is also in place for the Grande Prairie-Beaverlodge-Valleyview area. Environment Canada says wildfire smoke is causing poor air quality and reduced visibility in some areas.

UPDATE: Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm watches for the Grande Prairie-Beaverlodge-Valleyview and Peace River-Fairview-High Prairie-Manning forecast areas.

The weather office says storms will develop Monday afternoon and travel northeast in the evening and overnight. There is a chance some areas could see heavy rain, hail and damaging wind.

The Fox Creek, Whitecourt, Slave Lake, Wabasca and Gift Lake areas are also under severe thunderstorm watches.

We are going to see a lot of rain this week if the forecast holds.

Environment Canada is predicting 15 to 25 millimetres of rain tonight for the Grande Prairie-Beaverlodge-Valleyview forecast area, with another 10 to 15 millimetres predicted for Tuesday.

The forecast for the Peace River-Fairview-High-Prairie-Manning forecast area is calling for 25 to 30 millimetres of rain Monday night and 10 to 15 millimetres Tuesday.

There is a chance of rain in the forecast for both areas every day through Friday.

by Curtis Galbraith