Update: The severe thunderstorm watch ended at 9:22 p.m.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Chatham-Kent at 1:46 p.m.. Here are the details:
Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and heavy rain.
Hazards:
90 km/h wind gusts.
Heavy downpours with local rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm.
Timing:
This afternoon and early this evening.
Discussion:
Thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon ahead of a cold front tracking through the area. The main threats with these storms will be strong wind gusts up to 90 km/h and heavy downpours.
Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Water-related activities may be unsafe due to violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!
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, torrential rainfall.
The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
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.
For more information: http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html.
This story will be updated.
