Incoming Alberta rains good for farmers, unlikely to cause major flooding says meteorologist

Alberta's seasonal 'June monsoon' is expected to be kicked into high gear Monday afternoon, with Environment Canada issuing warnings for heavy rainfall across much of southern Alberta, including Banff National Park, Kananaskis and Calgary. 

According to a special weather statement released early Sunday morning by Environment Canada, up to 100 mm of rain could fall by Wednesday, particularly on the foothills and eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Current projections place the greatest rainfall amounts near Kananaskis. 

Kyle Brittain, the Alberta bureau chief for the Weather Network, said that while this week's prolonged rainfall could put the province past its typical monthly average for June, he doesn't expect it to cause severe flooding.

That's because historical dry conditions across the southern part of the province have led to a lower than average water table, said Brittain, leaving substantial room in the ground for moisture to be absorbed.

"[The] exceptional drought in southern Alberta, that actually gives us quite a good buffer against major flooding right now."