Recap: About half the forecasted rain hits Medicine Hat despite weather warning

Only 23.66 millimetres of precipitation fell on Medicine Hat in the past 48 hours, as opposed to the forecasted 40 to 80 millimetres forecasted to fall by Saturday evening.

A post on social media that has not been independently verified by CHAT News appears to show a funnel cloud near Medicine Hat.

The national weather agency did publish a special statement warning such clouds could form Saturday afternoon. It was later lifted.

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📌 Cancellations

10:30 p.m. | Friday

Here’s a list of cancellations related to the inclement weather:

– The Let’s Get Loud Festival has been postponed due to weather, organizers say

– The Medicine Hat Speedway has postponed its Demolition Derby that was planned for Saturday

– Big Marble Go Centre has announced the Energy in Motion event at Strathcona Park has been cancelled

To report a cancellation related to the weather, email CHATNews@pattisonmedia.com.

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Weather statement ends

6 p.m. | Saturday

A special weather statement declared Saturday afternoon for funnel clouds has now been lifted.

These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms, Environment Canada said.

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⛈ Thunderstorms still forecasted

1:30 p.m. | Saturday

Despite a clear sky Saturday afternoon, Environment Canada is still forecasting thunderstorms and the potential formation of funnel clouds.

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🌪 Funnel clouds possible

1 p.m. | Saturday

A special weather statement was declared Saturday afternoon for funnel clouds.

These types of funnel clouds are generated by weak rotation under rapidly growing clouds or weak thunderstorms, Environment Canada says.

This weak rotation is normally not a danger near the ground, the national weather agency said.

However, there is a chance that this rotation could intensify and become a weak landspout tornado.

If conditions become more favourable for the development of landspout tornadoes, watches and warnings will be issued by Environment Canada.

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☔️ Thunderstorms by afternoon

9 a.m. | Saturday

Heavy rain will continue for much of Saturday but a risk of thunderstorms will begin starting at noon, according to the Environment Canada forecast for Medicine Hat.

It’s forecasted the thunderstorm risk will subside by 9 p.m. on Saturday.

Heavy rain at times is forecasted to continue through Sunday morning.

Rain is predicted into Sunday morning.

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📸 Images

7:10 a.m. | Saturday

Photos from downtown Medicine Hat this morning, as a rainfall warning for the area continues into Saturday
🔗 https://t.co/no4Y3P75Ax pic.twitter.com/YRMJ014VLs

— Eli J. Ridder (@EliRidder) June 21, 2025

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🌊 River level dropping

7 a.m. | Saturday

Water levels of the South Saskatchewan River were dropping slightly early Saturday morning, according to data from Alberta Environment and Parks.

The latest figures reported as of 7 a.m. show that water has dropped to 2.33 metres from its peak of 2.35 metres overnight.

The river level was recorded at 2.10 metres at 8 p.m. Thursday before it started rising into the weekend.

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🚰 The sprinklers

6:20 a.m. | Saturday

On my way to get a shot of the South Saskatchewan River and I notice the City of Medicine Hat sprinklers are on — during a rainfall warning that is forecasting 40 to 80 millimetres of rain by Sunday. pic.twitter.com/zR89sK6f3q

— Eli J. Ridder (@EliRidder) June 21, 2025

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🌊 River flow advisory remains

5:30 a.m. | Saturday

A high streamflow advisory remains in place for the South Saskatchewan River on Saturday morning.

However, a peak of 133 cubic metres per second reached at 9:15 p.m. on Friday has eased back to 130 cubic metres per second, according to Alberta Environment and Parks data.

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🌧 City says it’s prepared

10 p.m. | Friday

Merrick Brown, associate director of emergency management, said in a media statement the city has plans in place, expert personnel and specialized equipment ready to respond to weather events.

“We have entered an enhanced monitoring mode for this event, and we are a well-prepared organization,” Brown said.

The city said it continues to receive daily updates on the potential flood risk based on the modelling and expertise provided by the forecasting centre.

Prompt public notice will be provided if changes arise, it added.

READ: Weather alert issued ahead of expected heavy rain

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🌧 Rain batters Medicine Hat

9:30 p.m. | Friday

Rain started battering Medicine Hat on Friday evening amid a weather warning.

Environment Canada says there will be periods of rain with risk of a thunderstorm. There will be 10 to 20 millimetres of rain Friday night, it says.

It expects there will be 40 to 80 millimetres of heavy rain by Saturday evening.

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🌧 Weather alert

9 p.m. | Friday

Large areas of Alberta was placed under a rainfall warning Friday morning ahead of heavy rains the City of Medicine Hat says it is prepared to handle.

The alert comes after a special weather statement issued Thursday morning for heavy rain and strong winds.

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Have a tip, concern or question? Email CHATNews@pattisonmedia.com.

by Olivia Thorington