Thunderstorm watches, warnings ended for Ottawa-Gatineau area
Environment Canada warned of strong winds, hail and heavy rain
Environment Canada has ended the severe thunderstorm warnings and watches it had issued for the Ottawa-Gatineau region Tuesday.
A warning means a severe storm is happening or about to happen, and could produce large hail, damaging winds or torrential rainfall. A watch means the conditions exist for a similarly severe storm.
Eastern Ontario could see wind gusts up to 110 kilometres an hour and large hail, forecasters said earlier in the day. There was also the risk of a tornado because of a cold front moving through the area.
Ottawa's temperature could drop from 24 C Tuesday afternoon to –2 C overnight.
"Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail early this afternoon into early evening," the national weather agency said in an advisory issued Tuesday morning.
"Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road."
Areas of western Quebec could also see heavy rain, the advisory said.
Residents were reminded that severe thunderstorms are capable of producing tornadoes and unsafe conditions for water activities.
Environment Canada advises residents to take cover immediately if a thunderstorm approaches.