Calgary under severe thunderstorm watch, heavy rainfall expected throughout weekend
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Environment Canada warns online that severe thunderstorms can mean large hail, strong wind gusts and tornadoes.
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Heavy rain is expected to begin Friday, with temperatures expected to drop by Saturday.
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'It does look like it will be a significant rainfall event for the area,' said Christy Climenhaga, a scientist at Environment and Climate Change Canada.
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Climenhaga said that although it's difficult to predict days in advance, there's a strong likelihood of extreme weather warnings being issued over the course of the weekend.
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'We may put out some messaging, a special weather statement or such, tonight or tomorrow,' she said. 'But it does look like quite a bit of rainfall, starting Friday afternoon, continuing heavy at times on Saturday, before starting to wrap up on Sunday.'
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Climenhaga said showers could help reduce the risk of wildfires starting or spreading in central Alberta, but that, too, is difficult to predict.
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'When you look at fire risk, we're looking at how dry it is, how hot it is, how windy it is,' Climenhaga said. 'When you're getting into a couple of days of soggy weather, cooler weather, that will lower your risk at the time, and it's just a matter of seeing how things progress.'
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Heavy rainfall could pose challenges for several outdoor events planned for this weekend in Calgary, including Heritage Park's National Indigenous Peoples Da y celebrations and some parts of the Sled Island Music and Arts Festival.
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Chariot Fest, a Hindu celebration of unity, peace and devotion, is also set to take place outdoors, with a parade through downtown ending at Prince's Island Park.
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'It's not ideal if it does end up being heavy rainfall,' said Purushottama Carana Das, a volunteer helping to organize the Chariot Fest events, 'but we do have some backup plans.'
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