ENVIRONMENT CANADA
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Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for:
- Barrie - Collingwood - Hillsdale
Risk of severe thunderstorms this evening.
Scattered thunderstorms are developing this evening in areas near northern Lake Huron. Storms will then move rapidly southeastward to reach western portions of the GTA during the mid to late evening hours.
There is potential for wind gusts to 100 km/h and large hail. Brief torrential downpours and frequent lightning will also accompany some storms. As well, there is a risk for an isolated tornado.
The storms will be localized and some places will not be affected.
The threat for severe weather will end by midnight except shortly after midnight for the Niagara area.
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. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. 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 [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
For more information: http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html.