Thunderstorms continue in the GTA; watches, warnings span southern Ontario
Posted April 4, 2023 7:30 pm.
Last Updated April 5, 2023 2:44 pm.
Toronto and the GTA are being hit with a strong storm front that is bringing heavy rain, thunder and lightning to the region on Wednesday.
Whether it’s blizzard-like conditions in Thunder Bay or freezing rain in the Sudbury area, the latest Ontario storm will be wide-ranging in terms of outcomes, depending on the region.
For the GTA, heavy rain and intense thunderstorms will be the story, as temperatures rise to as high as 14 C in Toronto on Wednesday.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a large part of southern and central Ontario, including Milton, Halton Hills, Orangeville, Hamilton, Niagara Falls, and Waterloo, and extending out to Sarnia and London.
Northern York and Durham regions are under a special weather statement due to the heavy rain.
So far, no watches or warnings are in place in Toronto or elsewhere across the GTA.
A freezing rain warning is in effect for areas like Muskoka, Kawartha Lakes, and Peterborough.
In the GTA, the first round of the thunderstorms hit early Wednesday morning, which affected the morning commute.
Out meteorologist Jill @JillTaylorCity says we may see more of this today! Pretty intense lightning earlier this morning as seen from Queen’s Park. pic.twitter.com/xQ1rvO9vqD
— Kevin Misener (@Kevin_Misener) April 5, 2023
The sky is angry this morning my friends. Lightning and rolling thunder in downtown Toronto along with high winds and rain. pic.twitter.com/NShHs1BW1e
— Kevin Misener (@Kevin_Misener) April 5, 2023
CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor said there will be multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday, accompanied by a strong gusty wind that is expected to settle down in the afternoon. Showers and thunderstorms will continue this evening, which could be severe at times and affect the drive home.
Radar up to 7:27am Wednesday. Multiple rounds of showers and storms today and tonight. We had one roll through this morning. Expect another round around noon then another around 4pm. Storms heading into the evening could be quite intense pic.twitter.com/vQOcFYR6oi
— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) April 5, 2023
The stormy weather is not expected to taper off until late Wednesday night, as the temperature rises to 16 C overnight. A mix of sun and clouds is in store for Thursday with a daytime high around 9 C.
(1:39 pm) Look at that temperature difference across southern Ontario. Wind shifts to the west later today allowing temps to rise tonight. pic.twitter.com/vveHXWE2qt
— 680 NewsRadio Toronto Traffic & Weather (@NewsRadioTO) April 5, 2023
Lightning lights up the sky in downtown Toronto on the morning of April 5, 2023. (Video credit: Gustavo Rojero)
Certain areas, including London and Windsor, could hit 20 C on Wednesday afternoon.
“It’s a Colorado Low that is bringing in some severe weather,” CityNews chief meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai said on Tuesday.
“It’s going to be location dependent that will determine what you’re going to get. If you’re in eastern Ontario, like Ottawa, Belleville, or Peterborough, you will be hit with significant ice. Some areas could see upwards of 15 to 25 mm of ice accretion.”
A significant freezing rain event/ice storm is setting up Wednesday for parts of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec. Anything over 13 mm is considered "crippling". #onstorm pic.twitter.com/JVQ14yjTh3
— Natasha Ramsahai (@CityNatasha) April 4, 2023
