Over the weekend, tornado warnings were issued in Southern Alberta. Some people received emergency alerts on their phones of on their TV’s while others say they never received an alert and were caught off guard.

Tornado warnings are rare for the area, but they do happen. 

Warning preparedness meteorologist Natalie Hasell explains what you should do if there is a tornado warning issued.

“You find a well-constructed building, you get into the basement, you get as many walls between you and the outside, avoid windows and avoid wide-span roof buildings like shopping malls,” she explained.

If you’re driving and don’t have a place to escape the storm, Hasell says many people often seek shelter under overpasses, however that has an added risk. She said people are better off pulling off on the side of the road.

“Do not seek shelter under an overpass. It’s actually worse under an overpass because it’s a more constrained space so winds have to speed up to go through it. So, even if it’s hailing and you’d like to protect your car, just pull off the road; your car can be replaced.”

Although many people are drawn to storms and weather events due to their sheer magnitude, meteorologists say storms bring with them a significant danger and it’s not just tornadoes people should be wary of.

“If we look at the number of injuries and deaths that are caused across the country in a given year, lightning is far ahead of tornadoes,” said warning preparedness meteorologist Blaine Lowry. “So that’s definitely something to be aware of when you see those thunder clouds rolling your way.”

July is the month where we typically see the most active weather in the province.