Viewer video shows apparent brief tornado near Erin, Ontario; Severe thunderstorm threat continues for parts of the province

Thursday, August 21, 2014, 11:00 AM -

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Severe thunderstorms roared through southern Ontario Wednesday evening, prompting tornado warnings in the Barrie and Midland regions. 

One Weather Network viewer sent in the video above of a probable tornado near Erin, about 100 km southwest of the tornado-warned areas. 

"Storms associated with a cold front sparked tornado warnings north of Toronto, including Barrie and Collingwood," said Weather Network meteorologist Kelly Sonnenburg in a storm recap Thursday morning. "The warnings were a result of a possible waterspout over Nottawasaga Bay."

Gina Ressler, another meteorologist at The Weather Network, says that EC depends on first-hand accounts -- like videos from people on the ground -- when severe weather rolls through. 

August 20, 2009: Ontario's historic tornado outbreak

"In order for Environment Canada to confirm a tornado, they need some kind of evidence -- whether that be from photos or videos or from data collected in a damage survey," she explains. "If they've received a lot of damage reports that they think might have been caused by a tornado, they'll send out a survey team." 

Sonnenburg says there is an additional risk for storms Thursday, although less severe in nature.

"Parts of eastern Ontario and extreme southwestern Ontario could see isolated thunderstorms this afternoon -- with small hail, heavy rain, and wind being the greatest threat." 

Be sure to monitor our Alerts page as watches and warnings may be issued. We will also have live updates on the storm throughout the day on TV.