‘Potentially life-threatening’: Tornado watches issued for parts of southwestern Ontario

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch for parts of southwestern Ontario, warning for heavy rain and strong wind gusts that could reach 90 km/h overnight.

Canada’s weather agency placed Windsor-Essex-Chatham Kent under the tornado watch, noting that conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms, which may produce a tornado through the evening and into the overnight.

“Strong wind gusts and heavy rain are also possible,” Environment Canada said. “Very heavy rainfall may accompany any thunderstorm.”

Environment Canada noted in its weather alert that this situation is dangerous and potentially life-threatening. Rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm are possible in these southwestern Ontario areas, with isolated amounts of up to 100 mm.

“In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is recommended you go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet,” Canada’s weather agency said.

⚠️ A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Windsor and Chatham regions through midnight ⛈️

Hazards:
Wind gusts to 90 km/h
A tornado is possible
Heavy rainfall may accompany any thunderstorm

Details ???? https://t.co/SD7OKnM8jx#onstorm #onwx pic.twitter.com/5laGArXbuW

— ECCC Weather Ontario (@ECCCWeatherON) July 12, 2023

“Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”

Environment Canada issues tornado watches when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.

Special weather statements and warnings are scattered across the province, including Kitchener, London, Sarnia, Brantford and Simcoe, among others. In these regions, Environment Canada cautioned for heavy rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm, with isolated amounts of up to 100 mm possible.

This also includes Barrie, Caledon and Orangeville.

Please BE CAREFUL #onstorm chasers considering chasing after dark in the SW. Maintaining situational awareness will be difficult, and the lake will limit escape routes. Residents: Keep phones bedside & heed warnings. A strong ???? is not out of the question.

— Travis Farncombe (@tjfarncombe) July 13, 2023

“Rain at times heavy is expected to move into southwestern Ontario early this evening and continue into Thursday morning,” the weather agency continued.

“Embedded thunderstorms are likely as well, with very high rainfall rates possible. At this point, there is uncertainty regarding which areas will get the heaviest rain. Rainfall warnings may be issued this evening as necessary.”

Rain expected in Toronto and GTA Thursday

Toronto will likely avoid severe weather, though heavy rainfall — anywhere between 15 to 20 mm — is expected overnight into Thursday morning.

While temperatures will hover around 20 C, it will feel humid in the city at the start of the day. Wind gusts could also top 40 km/h in the city before tapering down Thursday afternoon, when the sun will break through the clouds, leading to a pleasant evening.

This will make for a beautiful sunny Friday in Toronto and a daytime high of 26 C. It will feel more like 32 C. The next round of thunderstorms could arrive on Saturday when it will feel like 36 C with the humidex.