A view of the damaged windshield of Air Canada flight AC1159 after it landed in Lethbridge, Alta., Saturday, July 30, 2016. The plane was diverted from Calgary when the windshield sustained heavy hail damage. No injuries were reported from the 144 passeng
© Nick Kuhl / Lethbridge HeraldA view of the damaged windshield of Air Canada flight AC1159 after it landed in Lethbridge, Alta., Saturday, July 30, 2016. The plane was diverted from Calgary when the windshield sustained heavy hail damage. No injuries were reported from the 144 passengers and five crew members.
An Air Canada flight from Toronto to Calgary was forced to make an emergency landing in Lethbridge, Alta. Saturday afternoon after the aircraft's windshield was cracked by hail.

Air Canada spokesperson Angela Mah told The Canadian Press in an email that Flight AC1159 was approaching Calgary when the A320 airbus with 144 passengers on board flew into the hail storm and sustained damage to its windshield.

Mah said the Captain followed standard operating procedures and diverted to the closest airport, landing at Lethbridge about 210 kilometres south of Calgary "normally and without issue."

Pictures of the jet that were later posted on Twitter clearly showed several cracks in its left-side windscreen.

Mah said ground transportation arrangements were being made to bring the passengers to Calgary International Airport.

The storm that hit Calgary Saturday evening rained down hail the size of golf balls in some areas.

Golf ball sized hail SE Calgary
© Ryan KarkkainenGolf ball sized hail SE Calgary
Some pretty nasty hail damage in NE calgary tonight
© Dave ShapkaHail damage in NE calgary