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Nickel-sized hail, tornado risk part of severe thunderstorm watch

A severe thunderstorm watch is in place into Saturday evening
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WEATHER ALERT
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
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Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for:
  • Guelph - Erin - Southern Wellington County
  • Kitchener - Cambridge - Region of Waterloo
  • Mount Forest - Arthur - Northern Wellington County

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail.

Hazards:
Damaging wind gusts to 100 km/h.
Nickel size hail.
Risk of a couple of tornadoes.

When:
Late this afternoon and through the evening hours.

Discussion:
Thunderstorms developing over Michigan are expected to intensify as the afternoon progresses. At this point, it appears that damaging winds will be the primary threat with these thunderstorms. However, there is also a threat of a tornado, particularly for areas closer to Lake Huron.

Torrential rainfall will likely accompany any thunderstorm.

The threat of severe thunderstorms may persist well into the evening hours. The watch may be extended farther east later today.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Locally heavy rain is also possible. 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 or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

For more information, click here.

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