Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Merrickville-Wolford, North Grenville-Kemptville & Smiths Falls-Lanark

Brockville – Environment Canada has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Merrickville-Wolford, North Grenville-Kemptville and Smiths Falls-Lanark for this afternoon into this evening.

They say that conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.

Thunderstorms moving through eastern Ontario have the potential to strengthen this afternoon. Should these thunderstorms strengthen, they may be accompanied by strong winds, hail and heavy rain.

Hazards could include, 90 km/h wind gusts, Nickel sized hail and rainfall amounts of 30 to 40 mm.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.