A series of thunderstorms moved through southern Ontario on Wednesday, prompting weather watches and warnings to be issued for a number of areas, including the Toronto area.
Environment Canada warned that thunderstorms could produce strong winds, heavy rain and tornadoes. At exactly 3 p.m., the federal agency issued several weather warnings for parts of the countryside, including a tornado warning for the Barry, Collingwood and Hillsdale areas.
All tornado and severe thunderstorm watches and warnings were later canceled and changed to rainfall warnings Wednesday evening. Environment Canada said up to 40 millimeters of rain could fall in those areas.
The Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) said thunderstorms that swept through the region caused significant damage to trees in the Ellora Gorge Conservation Area.
“As a result, the property is closed to day access and new overnight camping bookings until further notice. Those guests with camping and tubing reservations for the remainder of this week will be contacted directly regarding their reservations,” the GRCA said in a post on its website.
Watches and warnings were also in place in the Greater Toronto Area. Parts of Peel Region and Halton Region were under a severe thunderstorm warning, with Environment Canada warning that a tornado was “possible.”
A severe thunderstorm watch was in effect for Toronto, York Region and Durham Region as wind gusts near 90 kilometers per hour, nickel-sized hail and rainfall amounts possibly over 50 millimeters were possible.
All watches and warnings in the GTA ended shortly before 8:30 p.m
Cloudy and humid conditions will continue into Thursday in Toronto with a 60 percent chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms. The maximum temperature will be 29 degrees with humidity 37.
The sun will return on Friday with a maximum temperature of 28 degrees.
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