Ontario severe storms carry a slight tornado risk into Saturday
Folks across Ontario should pay close attention to watches and warnings on Saturday as thunderstorms fire up
Conditions favourable for severe thunderstorms will build across portions of Ontario on Saturday as a muggy airmass sweeps over the Great Lakes region.
Heat warnings are in place for much of southern Ontario as the hot and humid weather settles in this weekend. This instability will fuel a risk for strong to severe storms—including the risk for one or two tornadoes.
Make sure you keep an eye on the radar—especially if you have outdoor plans—and stay aware of any severe weather watches or warnings issued in your area.
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Saturday storms could turn severe
A low-pressure system will move into Ontario on Saturday morning, bringing rain to northeastern portions of the province. This rain will grow heavier into the afternoon.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop by the afternoon hours and continue through the evening from Windsor all the way north toward Hudson Bay.
The greatest risk for severe weather will fall along the shores of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, extending north toward Sudbury and North Bay. There is a small risk of a tornado in this area on Saturday. The storms will form into a line and continue moving east across parts of central Ontario.
Many people are at cottages and camping in this region. Falling trees and lightning strikes are both deadly hazards.
If you are in the region, please stay on top of severe weather alerts and know what to do and where to go in the event severe weather approaches. If you know anyone in northeastern Ontario or cottage country this weekend, please ensure they’re aware of Saturday’s severe weather threat.
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We’ll also see storms move inland from Grand Bend and Kincardine to Parry Sound by the late afternoon hours. These storms will slowly sink south through the night and weaken as they approach the Greater Toronto Area through the overnight hours.
The greatest risk with Saturday’s strongest storms will be hail 2+ cm in diameter, strong wind gusts of 90+ km/h, and heavy downpours that could produce 30-50 mm of rainfall.
A risk for thunderstorms will redevelop on Sunday as a cold front pushes into an unstable atmosphere across southern Ontario. The storms will develop inland and track through the Greater Toronto Area and into eastern Ontario. Some of Sunday’s storms could turn severe.