Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Watches Lifted for the GTA

Environment Canada’s warning for a “cluster of severe thunderstorms” in the GTA, capable of producing strong wind gusts and heavy rain on Thursday night, has ended.

Shortly after 8 p.m., the national weather agency issued a severe thunderstorm warning for several areas including Toronto, Caledon, Newmarket, Georgina, Northern York Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Southern Durham Region, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, King City, Aurora, Ajax, Whitby, Orangeville, Grand Valley, and Southern Dufferin County.

They reported that the line of storms, which extended from Whitby to Orton, was nearly stationary.

Environment Canada indicated that the storms could bring heavy downpours with rainfall amounts exceeding 50 mm and wind gusts reaching 90 km/h.

“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Fast-moving water across a road can sweep a vehicle away,” the agency warned. “Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees, and overturn large vehicles.”

Environment Canada advised drivers to slow down, watch for tail lights ahead, and be prepared to stop if visibility is reduced. They also urged people to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches and to go indoors if lightning is seen.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing large hail, damaging winds, or torrential rainfall.

Similar severe thunderstorm warnings were also issued for parts of Caledon, Halton Hills, Milton, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, and Guelph.