Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for Toronto and southern Ontario – Tornado risk now cancelled

TORONTO A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Toronto as well as most of southern Ontario by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). “Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and torrential rain,” reads the severe weather warning.”

ECCC says we can expect heavy downpours continuing into the evening with rainfall amounts of 50 to 75 mm in some areas. That is actually more rain than we received here during the immense downpours on Wednesday evening.

In addition to heavy rain and thunder, ECCC says there could be accompanying wind gusts of 70 km/h to 90 km/h but there is no longer the risk of a tornado.

ECCC Reports the Following Weather Hazards:

Heavy downpours.
Total rainfall amounts of 50 to 75 mm over a few areas.
70 to 90 km/h wind gusts.
Risk of tornado (since cancelled 5:18 pm)

Timing:
Continuing into evening.

Severe Thunderstorm Watch issued for the following areas:

City of Toronto; Newmarket – Georgina – Northern York Region; Vaughan – Richmond Hill – Markham; Barrie – Collingwood – Hillsdale; Owen Sound – Blue Mountains – Northern Grey County; Hanover – Dundalk – Southern Grey County; Mount Forest – Arthur – Northern Wellington County; Guelph – Erin – Southern Wellington County; Kitchener – Cambridge – Region of Waterloo; Innisfil – New Tecumseth – Angus; Shelburne – Mansfield – Northern Dufferin County; Orangeville – Grand Valley – Southern Dufferin County; Caledon; Mississauga – Brampton; Halton Hills – Milton

ECCC also warns that heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

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