There are about 50 that currently chase storms across the province of Alberta and you'll see their pictures flood your social media accounts when the skies darken and the thunder crackles.

Thunderstorms produce all sorts of dangerous weather, from large hail, to strong winds and even tornadoes, but the most serious situation from a thunderstorm is lightning.

Alberta is a windy province, especially south of Calgary, but did you know that the wind here is exceptionally dry too.

While crops may be the bigger concern during such stifling heat, ranchers also need to keep an eye on their animals. The week-long heat wave is expected to put much of Alberta's key cattle country into the low to mid 30-degree Celsius range for at least a week. 

Environment Canada has issued a heat warning for mostly rural areas of east central and southeast Alberta. Temperatures are expected to top 29C to 32C for daytime highs for longer than a week, an unusually long duration for such a heat wave.