Slight potential for tornado as part of severe thunderstorm watch

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for parts of Ontario, including our area.

Following is the full watch issued:

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for:

• Newmarket - Georgina - Northern York Region
• Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
• Dufferin - Innisfil
• Listowel - Milverton - Northern Perth County
• Mount Forest - Arthur - Northern Wellington County

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Hazards:
Up to toonie sized hail
Wind gusts up to 90 km/h
Heavy rainfall with locally up to 50 mm
An isolated tornado threat

Timing:
Late this afternoon into this evening.

Discussion:
Scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop late this afternoon along a northeast-to-southwest oriented front. Because of the orientation of the front, training thunderstorms are possible which will lead to the potential for local rainfall amounts up to 50 mm. There is some indication that an isolated tornado threat may develop, but the potential remains quite low at this time.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

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.

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