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Heavy winds leave thousands without power in Quebec

Click to play video: 'Montreal thunderstorm watch'
Montreal thunderstorm watch
WATCH ABOVE: The severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for Greater Montreal, but a weather watch is still in effect. As Global's Navneet Pall reports, many Montrealers were caught in the torrential rain and heavy winds – Jul 18, 2016

Around 13,000 Hydro-Quebec customers suffered power outages due to trees and branches cutting power lines.

Most of the storm-related power outages were in the Quebec City area, where about 4,000 customers were in the dark.

Hydro-Quebec said another 3,300 customers east and southeast of Montreal were also affected.

The severe thunderstorm warning has been lifted for Greater Montreal, including:

  • Montreal island
  • Laval
  • Longueuil-Varennes
  • Châteauguay-La Prairie

According to Environment Canada, weather conditions were prime to produce “strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain.”

Southwest winds hit 30-50 km/h during the day, changing to northwest winds of 20-40 km/h in the evening.

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Officials warned people to be prepared for the weather and take cover immediately if conditions get dangerous.

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are “favourable for the development of thunderstorms” that could result in large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall.

To keep track of the changing conditions, download the Global News Skytracker weather app.

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