Tornado risk possible amid severe weather warning issued for part of southern Ontario

UPDATE: Environment Canada says there’s a tornado risk in the Hanover – Dundalk – Southern Grey County areas.

Heavy rainfall between 30 mm and 50 mm per hour are possible, with hail up to 2 cm in diameter and winds gusting up to 90 km/h.

Strong winds and the severe weather warning are expected to last through to the evening

The original story follows below:

Severe weather warnings and watches were issued for parts of southern Ontario Wednesday afternoon.

Just after 2:30 p.m., Environment Canada said meteorologists were tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing up to nickel-sized hail and heavy rain.

The storm was located near Hope Bay in South Bruce Peninsula and was moving east at 35 km/h.

Heavy rain with hourly rainfall rates near 50 millimetres is possible.

Nickel-sized hail could fall in Black Creek Provincial Park, Lion’s Head, Pike Bay, Red Bay, Hope Bay and Cape Croker.

A larger area, south of the Bruce Peninsula, is under a weather watch.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing large hail and heavy rain in these areas, including Stratford, Kincardine and Godrich. These areas could see rainfall rates between 30 and 50 millimetres per hour with wind gusts up to 70 km/h. Hail up to two centimetres in diameter could fall.

“Take immediate cover if a thunderstorm approaches,” the warning states. “If outside, protect yourself from flying debris and hail.”

– With files from Ryan Rumbolt

Areas in yellow are under a severe weather watch and those shaded in red are under a more urgent warning Wednesday afternoon.