Severe storm warnings issued for Ottawa and valley

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Environment Canada has upgraded its forecast from a severe thunderstorm watch to a warning, as a storm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, nickel-size hail and heavy rain tracks toward Ottawa.

In an alert issued at 2:21 p.m., the weather agency said the severe thunderstorm was currently located near Kinburn, and travelling northeast at a speed of 50 km per hour.

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The weather alert warns of torrential downpours with 50 mm falling within an hour, and wind gusting to 90 km per hour.

“Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads,” the warning said. “Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.”

The storm warning area includes Kinburn, Marathon, Constance Bay, Dunrobin and Malwood, as well as Renfrew, the Ottawa Valley and Cornwall.

Ottawa and Gatineau areas were also added to the warning level in the afternoon.

Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Perth and large swaths of eastern Ontario remain under a severe storm watch, meaning conditions could be favourable for a severe storm to develop.

“There is also a risk of a tornado today, especially towards the Ottawa River Valley.”

  • Strong winds gusting up to 110 km/h
  • Torrential downpours with 50 mm falling within an hour
  • Nickel to golf ball sized hail
  • Risk of a tornado

The weather office says the storms could hit any time from late Wednesday morning, through this evening.

More to come

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