Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for funnel clouds and scattered thunderstorms across much of southern Ontario Thursday afternoon, including in the GTA, Hamilton and London.
Dime-sized hail, wind gusts up to 70 km/h and frequent lightning could accompany some of the thunderstorms.
Global News chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said the weather instability is caused by a cold pocket of air in the upper atmosphere. Farnell said there’s an important distinction with the funnel cloud warning.
“These are different than tornadoes and most of the time are too weak to reach the ground. In the rare occasion, a brief weak tornado could occur, but little damage would occur,” he said.
Thunderstorms are expected to dissipate in the evening.
The national weather agency advised residents to take shelter if a funnel cloud develops.
“These funnel clouds usually appear with little or no warning.”
— With files from Nick Westoll