Severe thunderstorm watch: Everything To Know
The affected areas include portions of Northwest Alabama, Northeast Mississippi, and Western and Middle Tennessee. The watch was in effect from 1:50 PM until 8:00 PM CDT on Tuesday afternoon and evening.
Primary Threats:
Damaging Wind Gusts: Isolated wind gusts of up to 60 mph were possible.
Large Hail: Isolated storms could produce hail with diameters ranging from 1 to 1.5 inches.
Regions Affected:
Waterloo Region, Canada:
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- The severe thunderstorm watch for Waterloo Region was issued by Environment Canada.
- Residents were advised to stay indoors, secure loose objects, and avoid unnecessary travel during the storm.
- The watch indicated the possibility of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential hail.
- Emergency services were on alert to respond to any incidents also caused by severe weather.
Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA):
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- The GTA was also under a severe thunderstorm watch during the same period.
- The watch covered areas like Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, and other nearby cities.
- Forecasters warned of intense thunderstorms, lightning, and also localized flooding.
Greater Sudbury:
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- In Greater Sudbury, the severe thunderstorm watch led to heavy downpours and strong winds.
- Wind gusts reached up to 90 km/hour, also causing damage to trees and power lines.
- The watch highlighted the risk of flash floods and potential power outages.
What Is a Severe Thunderstorm Watch?
- A watch indicates that atmospheric conditions favor the development of severe thunderstorms.
Safety Tips:
- Stay Indoors: Seek shelter during thunderstorms.
- Secure Outdoor Items: Bring in loose objects that could become projectiles.
- Avoid Electrical Appliances: Unplug electronics to prevent damage from lightning strikes.
Scattered thunderstorms will continue to form and spread east-northeastward from northern Mississippi and western Tennessee toward northwest Alabama and also middle Tennessee. The strongest clusters or storms with supercell structures could produce the mentioned hail and wind threats. If you’re in the watch area, be on the lookout for threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements and possible warnings. Severe thunderstorms can occasionally produce tornadoes.
