Environment Canada issues severe thunderstorm watch for Southern Ontario

TORONTO – Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Southern Ontario, including the Greater Toronto Area.

The front will affect Southwestern Ontario early this afternoon, the Greater Toronto area and South Central Ontario by mid afternoon, and Eastern Ontario late this afternoon and early this evening.

READ MORE: Environment Canada answers the question: Where was Toronto’s severe thunderstorm warning?

The alert has the potential to develop into a severe thunderstorms with large hail, damaging winds or heavy rainfall.

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A cold front will cross Southern Ontario from west to east this afternoon and evening.

Wind gusts to 90 km/h are possible, as well as hail 2 cm in diameter and heavy downpours up to 50 mm in an hour.

READ MORE: By the numbers: 2013 Toronto flood

Approximately 126 mm of rain fell in Toronto in total, breaking the previous record of 121 mm that was set during Hurricane Hazel in 1954.

Many highways and city streets in the city and surrounding communities were also flooded during the evening hours.