Storm batters parts of GTA; Nearly a dozen Ontario tornado watches cancelled
Posted July 20, 2022 2:17 pm.
Last Updated July 21, 2022 7:05 am.
The GTA appears to have been spared the worst of the severe storms that threatened southern Ontario on Wednesday night, but some on social media are sharing video and images of thunderstorms battering parts of the region.
Video from the Burlington Skyway showed vehicles being thrashed by heavy winds and rain.
Heavy wind and rain is pummeling cars on the #Burlington Skyway right now. Severe storms are slowly making their way into the GTA. Please drive according to the conditions and seek shelter when necessary. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/bjgG17NBh3
— CityNews Toronto Traffic & Weather (@citynews680) July 21, 2022
Toronto and most of the GTA were under severe thunderstorm watches for most of the day, calling for strong wind gusts up to 100 km/h and the potential for nickel-sized hail.
Just after 10:30 p.m. most of those watches, including Toronto’s, were ended.
A number of earlier tornado watches throughout Ontario were also cancelled on Wednesday night.
As the storm system began moving into the GTA, many took to social media to post video of heavy rains and lightning.
#onstorm pic.twitter.com/SL5462G4Wc
— rachwills (@rach_wills14) July 21, 2022
The storm approaches Toronto Harbour #onstorm pic.twitter.com/VKjZisdaF7
— Jacob Rens (@lunarworks) July 21, 2022
Zzzzap #onstorm pic.twitter.com/yGJfnCPCZY
— Dr. Andrew (@prenerk) July 21, 2022
Really bad thunderstorm in Ontario #onstorm pic.twitter.com/srLOYyQn2Z
— Obaidullah Teraei (@OTeraei) July 21, 2022
Nearly a dozen Ontario tornado watches cancelled
As a storm system moved east from Michigan Wednesday afternoon, Environment Canada issued multiple tornado watches in nearly a dozen regions across Ontario before cancelling them later in the evening.
According to Environment Canada’s public weather alert website, none of the original 11 watches remain in effect.
Storm damage teams will be looking into whether a tornado touched down in the small town of Thedford, Ont., south of Grand Bend. Storm chasers posted photos online of large trees knocked down onto roadways and the roof of a barn being torn off.
Forecasters said throughout the evening on Wednesday, there could be wind gusts between 90 and 110 km/h along with hail the size of nickels to toonies.
They said conditions were “favourable” for tornadoes to form, but so far there are no confirmed twisters.
There was plenty of stormy weather though, as evidenced by videos posted to social media on Wednesday night.
Awesome Storm after days without rain.#ONStorm pic.twitter.com/P885585NhB
— The Real Gnome (@TheRealGnome1) July 21, 2022
Heavy rain & a light show in #Burlington #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/rEhbaH3JEM
— Victoria Fenn Alvarado TWN (@vfennalvarado) July 21, 2022
It just sideswiped me. Impressive little storm that made this heatwave worth it #onstorm #BurlOn pic.twitter.com/8MR77pd55u
— Trish (@RhysMerilot) July 21, 2022
Little bit of #onstorm action from Hamtown. This Sunroom is really paying off for moments like this.
Some good action but lacking quality, until this phone dies I can’t upgrade ;D pic.twitter.com/Y1fvK9Jlyv
— Thrillhouse (@RepetitiveKing) July 21, 2022
If the watch gets upgraded to a warning or if a tornado suddenly forms, meteorologists recommended getting inside a building immediately and going to a room on the lowest floor away from windows or outside walls (basements, bathrooms, stairwells and closets were recommended).
For those unable to get inside a building, forecasters said as a last resort go to a low spot, lie down and cover their head to protect against flying debris.
The watches were issued as most of southern Ontario was under a heat warning. The heat warning was lifted on Thursday morning.
