Severe weather is heading toward southern Ontario Friday evening with some regions under a special weather statement forecasting thunderstorms, while multiple others are under a severe thunderstorm warning.
An earlier tornado warning for some regions including Barrie and Orillia was cancelled. Those areas are now under a severe thunderstorm warning — with a risk of a tornado associated with the storm, Environment Canada said in a statement.
The federal agency also issued a statement Friday afternoon for Toronto and Hamilton regions ahead of severe thunderstorms expected to arrive tonight.
Heavy, gusty showers and thunderstorms are expected Friday evening for those cities, according to the statement.
“Wind gusts of 70 km/h, brief torrential downpours and cloud-to-ground lightning will be associated with some of these storms.”
The storm is the result of a cold front moving east across the province and causing temperatures to drop.
The regions of Durham, Peel, York and Halton are also currently under severe thunderstorm watches.
Tornado warning cancelled, but severe thunderstorm warning in effect
While a tornado warning ended Friday evening for Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Midland and Coldwater, those regions are now under a severe thunderstorm warning.
Damaging wind gusts and large hail could be associated with these storms along with brief torrential downpours, and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning.
Even without the official tornado warning, the weather agency said a risk of a tornado remains for those regions.
“Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches,” the statement said. “Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.”
