Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for much of southern Ontario amid rising temperatures

With temperatures set to heat up in southern Ontario, a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect for the Greater Toronto Area and there is the possibility of isolated tornadic activity in the Peterborough and Kingston regions.

Global News meteorologist Ross Hull said building humidity and temperatures on Wednesday could cause a storm in the afternoon and evening.

“The biggest threat looks to be damaging winds … if the storms begin to take on super-cell characteristics, I’m not ruling out an isolated tornado — especially east of the GTA,” he said.

Environment Canada said there could be damaging wind gusts of between 90 to 100 kilometres per hour.

But Hull said if clouds clear, it could increase the chance of severe weather.

“Any sunshine will allow for increased instability in the atmosphere, potentially increasing the potency of the storms ahead of the cold front — the lifting mechanism which will initiate the storms in the early afternoon,” he said.

READ MORE: Toronto weather conditions and predictions

The forecast calls for storm activity to clear throughout the evening.

According to Environment Canada’s forecast, the temperature will reach 26 C and will feel like 33 C with the humidex.

And if you don’t like hot and humid weather conditions, Hull said it will feel cooler and dryer on Thursday.