Timeline of Monday's severe storms across central Alberta

'Very unstable' atmospheric conditions across central Alberta prompted a series of weather alerts Monday afternoon and into the evening.

'Very unstable' atmospheric conditions across central Alberta prompted a series of weather alerts Monday afternoon and into the evening.

According to the Prairie and Arctic Storm Prediction Centre, severe storms were forecasted to develop across the foothills to central regions of the province, with the potential for heavy rain, large hail, and wind gusts.

Tornado warnings are issued when thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and severe weather are happening or are likely to occur.

Watches are issued by Environment Canada when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes. 

Here is a timeline of the major alerts and warnings:

At 7:28 p.m., the previously issued tornado warnings and alerts for Kneehill County and Red Deer County were dropped after the storm was "no longer expected to produce a tornado."

The storm was still capable of producing damaging winds, locally intense rainfall, and large hail — with some communities seeing up to baseball sized hail.