Severe thunderstorm watch issued for parts of northern, southern Ontario

TORONTO – A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of Ontario, including cottage country.

Environment Canada issued the watches early Monday afternoon.

READ MORE: Should Ontario invest in tornado sirens?

Several severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued in northern Ontario Monday morning as severe storms crossed the region.

A watch is issued when conditions are favourable for severe weather. A warning is when hazardous weather is imminent or occurring.

Severe storms capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible Tuesday afternoon into the evening across cottage country including, Barrie, Orillia, Collingwood and Midland. As with all severe thunderstorms there is always the risk of a tornado.

As of 3 p.m., the following regions were under a severe thunderstorm watch:

• Deep River – Whitney – Eastern Algonquin Park
• Western Algonquin Park – Lake of Two Rivers
• Bancroft – Hastings Highlands – Denbigh
• Kaladar – Bannockburn – Bon Echo Park
• Barrie – Collingwood – Hillsdale
• Midland – Coldwater – Orr Lake
• Orillia – Lagoon City – Washago
• Bayfield Inlet – Dunchurch
• South River – Burk’s Falls
• Bruce Peninsula – Sauble Beach – Tobermory
• Hanover – Dundalk – Southern Grey County
• Owen Sound – Blue Mountains – Northern Grey County
• Saugeen Shores – Kincardine – Southern Bruce County
• Haliburton – Minden – Southern Haliburton County
• Oxtongue Lake – Fort Irwin – Northern Haliburton County
• Bracebridge – Gravenhurst
• Huntsville – Baysville
• Port Carling – Port Severn
• Town of Parry Sound – Rosseau – Killbear Park
• Apsley – Woodview – Northern Peterborough County
• Fenelon Falls – Balsam Lake Park – Northern Kawartha Lakes
• Barry’s Bay – Killaloe
• Petawawa – Pembroke – Cobden
• Renfrew – Arnprior – Calabogie

Shortly after 1 p.m. a tornado watch was issued for western Algonquin Park, Lake of Two Rivers, South River and Burk’s Falls. It was lifted at 1:50 p.m, however the same area remains under a severe thunderstorm warning.

A severe thunderstorm warning was issued around 3:45 p.m. for the following regions:

• Haliburton – Minden – Southern Haliburton County
• Oxtongue Lake – Fort Irwin – Northern Haliburton County
• Bracebridge – Gravenhurst
• Huntsville – Baysville
• Fenelon Falls – Balsam Lake Park – Northern Kawartha Lake

The warning is in effect until 4:34 p.m.

READ MORE: Is Canada experiencing more tornadoes?

Meanwhile, Ottawa, Cornwall, Prescott and immediate areas are under a heat warning with hot and humid conditions producing humidex values close to 40 C.

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