Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for parts of eastern Ontario as a storm moves east toward Ottawa and Montreal Tuesday afternoon.
Shortly after 4 p.m., a warning was issued for the east and west Lanark County areas, Sharbot Lake, Smiths Falls and Perth, Ont. Wind gusts of up to 90 km/h may pose a hazard, according to the agency.
At about 4:30 p.m., the agency upgraded a thunderstorm watch to a warning for areas around the nation’s capital including Kanata, Orléans, and south toward Richmond and Metcalfe in rural Ottawa.
Heavy downpours can cause flash floods, while strong wind gusts can toss objects and damage buildings and trees, warned the agency.
People are asked to take cover immediately as threatening weather approaches, and to beware of lightning.
A severe thunderstorm watch has also been issued for areas around Bancroft and Cornwall in Ontario, and in Quebec for areas east of Gatineau and Montreal.
Environment Canada said the watch is expected to last into the evening, and warns people to look out for large hail, torrential rainfall and strong wind gusts.