Update #4: The thunderstorm, warning has ended. The watch remained in place as of 11:07 p.m.
Update #3: Environment Canada has expanded its severe thunderstorm warning to include Wallaceburg, Dresden, Chatham and surrounding areas as a dangerous storm moves southeast across Chatham-Kent.
At 9:31 p.m. Thursday, Environment Canada meteorologists were tracking a severe thunderstorm moving southeast at about 40 kilometres an hour.
The storm is capable of producing damaging wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h and heavy rainfall of 15 to 50 millimetres.
Communities in the projected path include Wallaceburg, Dresden, Chatham, Thamesville, Ridgetown and other parts of Chatham-Kent.
Environment Canada warns that driving conditions will likely become hazardous, local power outages are possible and there is a risk of injury from the storm.
Residents are urged to seek shelter immediately if threatening weather approaches. Environment Canada reminds the public that lightning kills and injures Canadians every year and advises people to head indoors when thunder is heard.
Emergency Management Ontario also recommends taking cover immediately during severe weather.
Environment Canada says severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when thunderstorms are imminent or occurring and are expected to produce damaging hail, strong winds or heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring forecasts and weather alerts as conditions evolve.
Update #2: Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of western Chatham-Kent, warning that a dangerous storm capable of producing damaging winds and heavy rainfall is moving southeast through the region.
The warning was issued at 9:29 p.m. Thursday after meteorologists began tracking the storm over Florence at 9:28 p.m. The thunderstorm was moving southeast at about 35 kilometres an hour.
Environment Canada says the storm could produce damaging wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h and heavy rainfall of 15 to 50 millimetres.
Communities in the projected path include Thamesville, Bothwell, Newbury, Wardsville, Ridgetown, Highgate and West Lorne.
The weather agency warns that driving conditions will likely become hazardous, local power outages are possible and there is a risk of injury from the storm.
Residents are urged to take shelter immediately if threatening weather approaches. Environment Canada reminds the public that lightning kills and injures Canadians every year and advises people to head indoors when thunder is heard.
Emergency Management Ontario also recommends taking cover immediately during severe weather.
Environment Canada says severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when thunderstorms are imminent or occurring and are expected to produce damaging hail, strong winds or heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring forecasts and weather alerts as conditions change.
Update #1: Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Chatham-Kent and Rondeau Park, warning that a dangerous storm capable of producing damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall is moving through the area.
The warning was issued at 9:32 p.m. Thursday after meteorologists began tracking the storm at 9:31 p.m.
Environment Canada says the storm poses a moderate impact with high forecast confidence. Driving conditions are expected to become hazardous, local power outages are likely and there is a risk of injury.
Residents are urged to seek shelter immediately if threatening weather approaches. Environment Canada reminds the public that lightning kills and injures Canadians every year and advises people to head indoors when thunder is heard.
Emergency Management Ontario also recommends taking cover immediately during severe weather.
Environment Canada says severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when thunderstorms are imminent or occurring and are expected to produce damaging hail, strong winds or heavy rain. Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring forecasts and weather alerts as conditions evolve.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Chatham-Kent, warning that conditions are favourable for the development of storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and heavy rainfall this afternoon and early evening.
The weather agency says the watch, issued at 1:11 p.m. EDT Thursday, carries a moderate impact level and high forecast confidence.
Forecasters say thunderstorms could produce localized rainfall amounts of up to 60 millimetres and wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres an hour. Areas that experience multiple thunderstorms are expected to receive the highest rainfall totals.
Environment Canada says heavy rain may cause flash flooding and significantly reduce visibility, while strong winds could damage roofs, fences, tree branches and temporary shelters.
Residents are reminded that when thunder roars, they should go indoors, avoid driving through flooded roadways and secure loose outdoor objects.
Emergency Management Ontario recommends taking cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
Environment Canada advises residents to continue monitoring forecasts and weather alerts as conditions develop.
This story will be updated.
