Relief from the heat is near but we may need to weather a thunderstorm to enjoy it.
Environment Canada has issued both a heat warning and severe thunderstorm watch this morning for North Bay, Powassan, Mattawa, West Nipissing, and French River.
Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.
A very warm and humid air mass continues to linger in Northeastern Ontario today. Temperatures will reach 29 or 30 degrees in many localities, with humidex values in the mid-thirties expected.
Heat warnings are issued when high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Relief is in store, but we may need to weather a thunderstorm to enjoy it. A cold front will move through the region later today. A cooler and less humid air mass will arrive in its wake by this evening, heralding an end to this heat event.
The risk of severe thunderstorms is associated with that cold front moving from west to east today.
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. 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: click here.
