A tornado touched down in central Alberta on Wednesday, cutting a path through a treed area, but apparently sparing the area from any more serious damage.Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a tornado warning Wednesday afternoon for an area west of Drayton Valley.

A tornado watch has been issued for some parts of central Alberta due to severe thunderstorms popping up Wednesday afternoon.

Severe thunderstorms popped up in parts of Alberta Wednesday afternoon, prompting tornado watches. Storms capable of producing heavy rain, strong winds and large hail targeted north-central Alberta into Wednesday overnight. The threat for tornadoes persisted into the evening on Wednesday. The greatest tornado risk was between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. MDT.