Severe thunderstorm threat over southern Ontario with risk of damaging winds
Severe thunderstorm threat stretches into southwestern Ontario Wednesday, with the risk for strong winds, heavy rain, and hail
April has only just begun, but parts of southern Ontario will be dealing with another round of thunderstorms with the next system moving in for Wednesday. Strong winds will be one of the main risks with the incoming system, as well as heavy rain, and a localized flood threat.
These storms could put already vulnerable areas at risk of further damage, especially after the weekend ice storm that brought down trees and left hundreds of thousands without power.
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It will be important to stay on top of the weather warnings in your area, and to keep devices charged incase of additional outages.
Thunderstorm threat returns to southwestern Ontario Wednesday
A Colorado low will bring all precipitation types back into Ontario once again, with more freezing rain, and heavy snow putting a wintry spin on the early spring season.
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In southwestern Ontario, there's a risk for severe thunderstorms to develop, bringing periods of heavy rain, and the potential for strong and damaging winds.
The first rumbles of thunder and lightning may cross the southwest during the late morning and early afternoon hours on Wednesday.
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As the warm front moves through the region, winds will change to the south, helping strong gusts to develop.
Damaging wind gusts could put additional strain on powerlines
Widespread wind gusts between 50-70 km/h are forecast across much of southern Ontario throughout the day, with gusts up to 80 km/h possibly reaching exposed shoreline regions.
By the evening and early overnight hours, the cold front will start to move into the southwest, bringing the risk of thunderstorms, and even the threat of severe storms close to the Michigan border.
Because the Great Lakes are still quite chilly, this will reduce the risk of severe storms crossing the lakes, leaving the greatest chances for severe weather across sections of extreme southwestern Ontario including Windsor, Leamington, Chatham, and up into Sarnia.
Strong wind gusts and heavy rain are the main threats associated with the thunderstorms, but with the chance for small hail to fall, as well.
While the storm risk diminishes by Thursday, winds will remain powerful, gusting between 50-70 km/h for much of the day.
These strong wind gusts could cause more extensive damage to trees and objects that have been compromised by the recent ice storm over the weekend. Localized flooding is possible as well, as the storms will carry a lot of moisture with them.
Rainfall amounts may exceed 50 mm, particularly in areas that see the thunderstorms develop.
The rain will end from west to east Wednesday night into early Thursday morning.
Be sure to check back for the latest weather updates across Ontario.