A tornado watch for Brant and Oxford counties has been lifted but a severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Oxford County, says Environment Canada.
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“Conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” the national weather agency said in an update on Saturday afternoon.
Severe thunderstorm watches have been lifted for Brant, Norfolk, Haldimand and Elgin counties. Significant rain is still in the forecast for those communities.
The storms could bring wind gusts up to 90 kilometers/hour, nickel-sized hail, and heavy downpours through Saturday evening, Environment Canada says. The storms are expected to dissipate tonight.
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes,” said the weather agency.
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The Grand River Conservation Authority also urged the public to use caution when near waterways.
“Thunderstorms may further increase the amount of rainfall in localized areas.
No significant flooding is expected with this event; however, river flows in local waterways will be higher than normal for this time of year,” said a GRCA news release. “This increases the risk of flooding in low lying areas near watercourses and in urban areas if drainage systems are overwhelmed.”
The rainy weather was expected to last for the rest of the weekend before sunshine returns for most of next week, with daytime highs around 20 C.
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