severe thunderstorm warning and tornado watch for Edmonton area

[Thorin]

See this link: http://weather.gc.ca/warnings/report_e.html?ab33

There is a severe thunderstorm warning and a tornado watch (warnings are higher level than watches, so the thunderstorm is expected to happen, tornado is possible).

Batten down the hatches, stay indoors, and stay safe.

[Tom]

I got the warning via Google Now on my phone a few minutes ago.

[Thorin]

The tornado watch got upgraded to a tornado warning since I posted.  At least one of the local high schools is not allowing kids to leave the school until the warning has been cancelled (I know because my son just called and said he's not allowed to leave the school).

[Thorin]

AT 2:20 PM MDT METEOROLOGISTS ARE TRACKING A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WITH A HISTORY OF PRODUCING TORNADOES. THIS THUNDERSTORM IS OVER DEVON AND WILL ENTER THE CITY OF EDMONTON FROM THE SOUTHWEST. THE THUNDERSTORM IS MOVING TO THE NORTHEAST AT 35 KM/H. IN ADDITION TO A POSSIBLE TORNADO THIS THUNDERSTORM CONTINUES TO THREATEN WITH LARGE HAIL, STRONG WIND GUSTS, AND HEAVY RAINFALL.

So a storm going from Devon to Sherwood Park is causing my old-enough-to-drive son to not be allowed to leave his school in St Albert for a five minute drive home.  <sigh>  I'd understand if we lived in Devon, or Millwoods, or Sherwood Park...

[Mr. Analog]

Upgraded to tornado warning

[Darren Dirt]

lookin' sunny again in the University area...

[Thorin]

Get this, my wife went to the school for my youngest two to pick them up while there was no rain, no hail, no storm, and the thunderstorm was last reported over Devon just a few minutes prior (40km away).  They refused to release her own children to her, citing the tornado warning and "safety".  This was before the school day ended.  45 minutes later the rain and thunder had started and the tornado warning was still in effect (and in fact updated) and we got a call that we have to come pick up our children.  The difference?  The school day has now ended.

So on the one hand it's all about the student's "safety", but on the other hand as soon as the school day's done they don't give a @%&# about safety.  Gee, what's safer, getting home 30 minutes before the storm that might spawn tornadoes has arrived, or getting home right in the middle of said storm?

You know, I think this might be the first time I actually send a complaint to the school board.

By the way, the tornado warning is still in effect for north and east Edmonton, and parts south of east Edmonton all the way to Hay Lakes (70km south of Fort Sask).

[Tom]

Yeah, got another notice from Google Now. The hail was comming down pretty darn hard for like 20 minutes. its calmed down a lot now though.

[Lazybones]

So if the minecraft server goes down we should send out a search party?

[Mr. Analog]

ummm YES

[Tom]

Speaking of the minecraft server going down, I've heard that shaw will be doing some upgrades in the area for the next couple weeks, so things might be spotty.