Tornado Watches Issued for Southern Ontario and Quebec Thursday

Issued by Environment Canada, tornado watches have been put into effect for parts of southern Ontario and Quebec on Thursday, May 11, 2023.

Affected Regions:

* Southern Ontario: Bruce County, Grey County, Huron County, Perth County, Waterloo Region * Quebec: Eastern Townships, Montérégie

Expected Conditions:

The watches indicate that conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes. Thunderstorms are expected to produce large hail, heavy rain, and potentially tornadoes.

Precautionary Measures:

Residents in the affected areas are urged to take the following precautions: * Monitor weather forecasts and warnings closely. * Seek shelter indoors at the lowest level of a sturdy building if a tornado is approaching. * Have a portable weather radio or mobile app for real-time weather updates. * Stay away from windows and doors. * If driving, pull over to a safe area and seek shelter.

Additional Information:

* Environment Canada will provide updates on the watches as conditions change. * Visit Environment Canada’s website or download the WeatherCAN app for the latest weather information. * Follow local emergency management officials for guidance. Residents are advised to remain vigilant and be prepared to take immediate action if a tornado warning is issued.Severe Weather Risk in Ontario and Quebec

Severe Weather Risk in Ontario and Quebec

Conditions are conducive for the formation of severe thunderstorms today, bringing the risk of tornadoes, damaging winds, large hail, and heavy rainfall. A tornado watch has been issued for portions of southern Ontario and Quebec.

Tornado Watches:

Ontario:

* ALGONQUIN * BANCROFT-BON ECHO PARK * BARRIE-ORILLIA-MIDLAND * BURK’S FALLS-BAYFIELD INLET * DUFFERIN-INNISFIL * HALIBURTON * HALTON-PEEL * PARRY SOUND-MUSKOKA * PETERBOROUGH-KAWARTHA LAKES * RENFREW-PEMBROKE-BARRY’S BAY * YORK-DURHAM

Quebec:

* MONT-LAURIER * LA VERENDRYE WILDLIFE RESERVE * UPPER GATINEAU-LIEVRE-PAPINEAU * PONTIAC * ABITIBI * TEMISCAMINGUE * PARENT-GOUIN RESERVOIR

Safety Precautions:

* Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell, or interior closet. * Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers, and other temporary or free-standing shelters and move to a strong building. * As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.

Severe Weather Conditions:

* Strong winds * Large hail * Heavy rain * Potential for tornadoes

Additional Forecast Information:

*

Muggy air:

High humidity will increase the risk of severe weather. *

Cold front:

A cold front moving through Ontario will trigger thunderstorms, with some likely to become severe. *

Scorching temperatures:

Temperatures will reach the mid-to-high 20s, feeling like the mid-30s with humidity. *

Storm timing:

Storms are expected to develop in the late afternoon and continue through the evening and potentially overnight. *

Dreary weather:

Stormy weather will persist overnight Thursday, with Friday starting out less than ideal. *

Improved weekend forecast:

A dry weekend is expected for the first time in the GTA since early April. *

Hot and humid next week:

Temperatures will rise to the low-to-mid 30s, with a humidex of 40+ and a risk of thunderstorms. *

Above-normal temperatures:

Warmer than normal temperatures are expected for the rest of the month.Tornado watches have been issued for parts of southern Ontario and Quebec on Thursday afternoon, as a line of thunderstorms moves through the region. Environment Canada has issued the watches for the following areas: *

Ontario:

Counties of Haldimand-Norfolk, Brant, Oxford, Elgin, Middlesex, Lambton, Kent and Essex, as well as the regions of Niagara, Halton, Peel, York, Durham, Northumberland and Peterborough. *

Quebec:

Eastern Townships, Montérégie, Laval, Greater Montreal and Lanaudière. The thunderstorms are expected to bring heavy rain, hail and strong winds, with the potential for tornadoes. Environment Canada advises residents to be prepared for severe weather and to take cover if they see a tornado warning. The watches will remain in effect until further notice. For the latest information, please visit the Environment Canada website.