April showers, thunder sets the tone to close out the week in Ontario
Stay aware of changing conditions as you go about your day in southern Ontario on Friday
A system moving into the Great Lakes region will spark a risk for thunderstorms across much of southern Ontario on Friday.
Some of the storms could turn severe across southwestern portions of the province. Stay aware of potential watches and warnings in your community. Conditions can change rapidly as strong storms bubble up.
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Storm risk builds Friday, large hail and winds possible
A strengthening low-pressure system moving into the Great Lakes from south of the border will push a warm and unstable airmass across southern Ontario to end the week.
Rain is expected across the entire Great Lakes region, with the unstable air building a potential for thunderstorms throughout southern Ontario—including the Greater Toronto Area. The highest chance for thunderstorms in the GTA will be during the afternoon hours, with many cloudy breaks in between any storms that do develop in the region.
Dynamics are favourable for some of the storms to turn severe in southwestern Ontario, around Windsor and Sarnia. These storms would likely develop and arrive during the late afternoon and evening hours.
The strongest storms in this region could produce large hail, strong wind gusts, and heavy rain.
Rainfall totals will increase the farther north and east you head through the province. Southwestern Ontario and the northern GTA are on track for 10-20 mm of rain, with higher totals possible in thunderstorms.
We could see 20-30 mm of rain into cottage country and eastern Ontario, with 30-40 mm on tap through Saturday into Ottawa as the system stalls over eastern Ontario and steadier rain washes over the region. Some of these persistent showers could also spill just east of the GTA.
Thankfully, we’ll see conditions clear out on Sunday, bringing in sunshine and warm temperatures. Luckily, these pleasant conditions should hold on for election day on Monday.
Stay with The Weather Network for the latest on conditions across Ontario.