Thunderstorms with damaging winds and hail possible in southern Ontario

There is a risk of thunderstorms in southern Ontario as a heat wave continues to impact the region.

Storms could bring hail, strong winds, and heavy rain, Environment Canada’s thunderstorm outlooks say.

Here’s a look at what’s expected:

Thursday p.m.

Most of southern Ontario (location A on the map below), could see storms in the afternoon and evening, though there is “lower confidence on the development and timing.”

“However, thunderstorms that do develop will be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail. The highest confidence in thunderstorm development at this time is over eastern Ontario,” Environment Canada said.

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Up to 40 mm of rain could fall locally and power outages may occur.

A bit further north, areas shaded in grey including the Bruce Peninsula, Huntsville and Sudbury, could see isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and early evening.

Location B on the map, which covers portions of northeastern Ontario, may see thunderstorms develop in the afternoon that produce 90 km/h winds and 3 cm hail. Up to 20 mm of rain may fall locally.

And location C, which includes parts of far northern Ontario, is expected to see storms in the afternoon into the evening.

“Multiple thunderstorms tracking over the same area could give rainfall amounts near 40 mm locally,” forecasters said for those places.

Friday

On Friday, a large part of southern Ontario, including Toronto south to Windsor (location A on the outlook below), is expected to see storms.

“An area of thunderstorms is expected to track through the area from west to east Friday afternoon into the evening,” Environment Canada said.

“Large hail, strong wind gusts, and heavy downpours would be the main threats.”

The storms could drop 30 to 50 mm of rain locally.

Other areas shaded in grey on the map could see isolated thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening that bring up to 30 mm of rain.

Maps via Environment Canada