Tornado alerts end for Newell County in southern Alberta

Multiple tornado warnings were issued for Newell County in southern Alberta on Tuesday evening. 

At 8:05 p.m., Environment Canada said it had received a credible report that a landspout tornado was spotted near Brooks. Communities in that storm's path had included Millicert and Patricia, an emergency alert said. That alert was cancelled at 8:23 p.m.

"This tornado is likely to lift and touch down multiple times before finally dissipating," Environment Canada said.

A second emergency alert at 8:45 p.m. said a rotating severe thunderstorm that was possibly producing a tornado was located five kilometres west of Tilley and moving east toward the hamlet at 30 km/h. 

"One or more weak tornadoes may be occurring in the area. They sometimes appear as funnel clouds with swirling debris near the ground," Environment Canada said.

Advisories in place for areas north and east of Calgary cautioned conditions would be favourable for thunderstorms that could produce large hail, damaging winds, heavy rain and brief tornados.

"Treat any funnel cloud sighting seriously. Should a funnel cloud develop nearby, prepare to take shelter. These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning," the advisories said.

On social media, Albertans shared photos and videos of swirling clouds near Carstairs, Acme and Red Deer. 

Severe thunderstorm watches were also in place for much of the southeastern part of the province.

An up-to-date list of weather alerts is available on Environment Canada's website.