Severe storms to bring heavy rain, hail, tornado risk to GTA
· Toronto Sun
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Parts of Southern Ontario will be hit with severe storms on Wednesday, bringing heavy rain, strong winds, hail and possible tornadoes.
Expect the most active weather to impact the GTA sometime mid-afternoon and into the evening, around 8 p.m., according to Rob Kuhn, meteorologist with Environment Canada’s Ontario Storm Prediction Centre.
“There’s another system coming in from northern lower Michigan that’s going to reach the Toronto area around 3 or 4 p.m., and with that is a risk that thunderstorms that could be severe, with very strong, damaging winds and large hail,” Kuhn told the Toronto Sun .
Torrential downpours to come
But it’s the rain amounts that are significant, he stressed, with at least 35 to 55 mm of rain “should you get a direct hit from a thunderstorm late today.”
With these severe storms, the risk of a tornado across southern Ontario can’t be ruled out, and traditional areas, including north towards Barrie, Orillia and Mount Forest and west towards London, Woodstock and Dunnville, could be hit.
However, Kuhn warned that “a slight risk of seeing a rotation could occur anywhere because it is a fairly strong system.”
He added: “For any one area, the risk is small, but these things certainly look to pack a punch.”
For the GTA, Kuhn noted: “The most active part will be between about 4 and 8 p.m.”
Keep an eye out for flooding
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has issued a flood watch for the GTA, warning that river and stream water levels are currently high and the ground is already “very wet.”
“Due to the total rainfall already received and expected, rivers in TRCA’s jurisdiction are likely to rise well above normal water levels, with stronger and faster flows, with the possibility of overflowing,” the notice read.
“Heavy rain from thunderstorms in a short time could cause flash flooding and water to pool or collect in floodplains and low-lying areas that do not drain well,” it continued. “All TRCA shorelines, rivers, and streams are dangerous right now. Water flows faster and higher, and water level conditions can change fast.”
The agency is warning people to avoid rivers, streams, and shorelines due to the dangerous conditions.
Beautiful forecast on tap for long weekend
But the evening and into tonight, the heavy precipitation will have moved out, though there is still a 40% chance of showers with a risk of thunderstorms overnight; by Thursday, it will be “smooth sailing,” Kuhn assured.
“We’re going to have a mix of sun and cloud, a high of 27, with a humidex of about 34,” he detailed.
And the upcoming long weekend weather is the stuff dreams are made of, with partly to mostly sunny afternoon temperatures in the mid-20s and morning lows of about 14°C.