Tough storms bear down on the Maritimes; Thunderstorm Warnings in effect

Saturday, July 20, 2013, 8:45 PM -

The stifling heat and humidity that has gripped the Maritimes will finally come to an end this weekend -- potentially with a bang.

A cold front is on the way to the region, sweeping away the heat in a combination that brought devastating thunderstorms in Ontario and Quebec, killing at least one person in the latter province.

Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings are in effect for many parts of P.E.I, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. 

At one point, Environment Canada issued a tornado warning for Sydney, Cape Breton County, Grand Lake and Queens. All warnings were dropped shortly after, however forecasters say the risk of severe weather will continue throughout the evening.

These storms behind that advancing cold front were violent when they passed through Ontario and Quebec on Friday.

They caused  one fatality in Quebec and left 425,000 people without power while, in Ontario,  more than 2.5 million people were under a tornado warning at one point or another.

"There are thunderstorms developing through the Maritimes that are going to bring heavy downpours, hail and intense lightning as a result of the approaching cold front," explained Gerald Cheng, a meteorologist at The Weather Network. "Isolated tornadoes are not out of the questions with these thunderstorms. This risk is most pronounced late Saturday afternoon through the evening, but should diminish in the overnight."

Residents are advised to take immediate shelter if severe weather approaches. 

Be sure to visit our Alertspage for all watches and warnings. 

TUNE IN: We'll be following this system as it develops Saturday, tune in to TV for regular updates.