Conditions favourable for severe thunderstorms this afternoon

WEST CARLETON – Environment Canada says severe thunderstorms could be on the way this afternoon (June 21).

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” Environment Canada released in a statement this morning (June 21).

Environment Canada says hazards association with severe thunderstorms include wind gusts up to 100 km/h; hail up to three cm in diameter; and local rainfall of 25 to 50 mm in an hour or less.

Envirnoment Canada says the Severe Thunderstorm Watch covers parts of Eastern Ontario including Kingston, Brockville, Smith’s Falls, The National Capital Region, Alexandria and Cornwall and is expected this afternoon.

“Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles,” Environment Canada said. “Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.”

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.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

For more information: http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html.