Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning

And right on cue, it's raining heavily in High River.

That means there will be probably be a change of venue for this afternoon's grad ceremony for Highwood High School.

In the event of a storm it moves across the street from George Lane Park to the Highwood Memorial Centre.

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain.

An area of thunderstorms are forecast to develop along the foothills this afternoon and track eastwards towards the Saskatchewan border this evening. Some of these thunderstorms are likely to become severe.

Very large hail can damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.