Severe thunderstorm watch for Barrie, Orillia, Grey-Bruce areas ends

A tornado and severe thunderstorm watches issued by Environment Canada on Wednesday for the Grey-Bruce and Innisfil areas have ended.

By around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a severe thunderstorm watch remained in place for the Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Midland, Coldwater, Orr Lake, Orillia, Lagoon City and Washago area.

The severe thunderstorm watch, along with a rainfall warning, was also in effect for the Bruce Peninsula, Sauble Beach, Tobermory, Hanover, Dundalk, Southern Grey County, Owen Sound, Blue Mountains, Northern Grey County, Saugeen Shores, Kincardine and Southern Bruce County areas.

Environment Canada said conditions were “favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and torrential rain.”

The agency said wind gusts near 90 km/h were possible, as is nickel-sized hail.

Environment Canada said torrential downpours with rainfall amounts possibly in excess of 50 millimetres may occur in some areas.

Environment Canada also issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Orangeville, Grand Valley and Southern Dufferin County, saying a line of thunderstorms is located from Ariss to Luther Lake was moving east at 65 km/h.

“The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches,” the warning read.