Streets are flooded in a neighbourhood after an early morning storm in Edmonton on July 15, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Ivan Romanchak
While Alberta summers are typically dominated by wildfire smoke, this year has brought a dramatic shift to heavy rainfall, flooding, and severe storms.
Edmonton was pounded by record-breaking rain in June and is on track for another exceptionally wet month.
The capital region received 264 millimetres of rain in June, shattering the previous record of 216 mm set in 1914. With approximately 360 mm already fallen in June and July combined, the city is poised to break the all-time summer rainfall record of 417 mm from 1953.
The province has also seen a surge in tornado activity, with about 25 tornadoes recorded so far this year. By comparison, Alberta and Saskatchewan typically experience a combined average of just 16 tornadoes annually.
In the last few weeks, rain in Edmonton has flooded streets, downed power lines and damaged recreation facilities.
The city said several parts of the Yellowhead Trail freeway were closed for flooding after an early Wednesday storm.
Edmonton’s science centre also closed its doors, likely until November, after rain flooded the building last week.
“This is a planning estimate, not a confirmed reopening date, and we continue to explore opportunities for a safe partial reopening earlier in the fall,” Telus World of Science said on its website.
According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, Albertans have filed more claims this year for flooding and hail damage than for wildfires.
“What we’re seeing this year so far is there hasn’t been a lot of wildfire activity that’s impacted communities,” said Rob de Pruis, national director of the bureau. “There have been thousands of insurance claims that have been presented in Alberta because of severe weather, from water damage like flooding, to hail damage, to wind damage as well.”
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