Moderate Risk for Severe Weather Thursday

There will be a Moderate risk for severe weather late this afternoon and evening through the Bruce Peninsula and Central Ontario.

The timing is important for all areas, because if the thunderstorms arrive too late, after the sun goes down, hazards are expected to be less severe.

Thunderstorms are expected to begin moving into the area around 4 PM for the areas within the Moderate risk. These thunderstorms may form in a line, however some uncertainty remains. Hazards within this area will include rainfall of 60 to 80 millimetres, the risk for an isolated tornado, wind gusts up to 100 km/h, and hail 2 to 3 centimetres in diameter. Flooding is also expected.

For areas in Midwestern, Eastern and Southwestern Ontario, including the GTA, hazards are expected to be less severe, and thunderstorms may not arrive until after 8 or 9 PM. Strong wind gusts up to 90 km/h will still be possible, along with heavy rainfall. There is also a low risk for a weak, isolated tornado.

Risk Levels, Threats and Locations

Moderate (Orange)

Locations: Algonquin Park, Apsley, Bancroft, Barrie, Barry's Bay, Bayfield Inlet, Burk's Falls, Collingwood, Haliburton, Hanover, Huntsville, Kawartha Lakes, Kincardine, Lion's Head, Midland, Orillia, Owen Sound, Parry Sound, Pembroke, Renfrew, Southampton, Tobermory and Whitney

Threats: Rainfall of 60 to 80 millimetres, the risk for an isolated tornado, wind gusts up to 100 km/h, hail 2 to 3 centimetres in diameter, and flooding.

Elevated (Yellow)

Locations: Alexandria, Franktown, Goderich, Hawkesbury, Kaladar, Listowel, Mount Forest, Newmarket, Orangeville, Ottawa, Peterborough and Plevna

Threats: Rainfall of 60 to 80 millimetres, wind gusts up to 100 km/h, torrential downpours, a low risk for an isolated tornado, and the risk for flooding.

Low (Green)

Locations: Amherstburg, Belleville, Brockville, Chatham, Cobourg, Cornwall, Dunnville, Grand Bend, Hamilton, Kingston, Kitchener, Leamington, London, Long Point, Oakville, Oshawa, Pelee Island, Port Colborne, Prescott, Prince Edward, Rondeau Park, Sarnia, Simcoe, St. Catharines, St. Thomas, Stratford, Toronto, Wallaceburg and Windsor

Threats: Rainfall of 40 to 60 millimetres, wind gusts up to 90 km/h, torrential downpours, and a low risk for a tornado.