A tornado watch was lifted for London and Middlesex County after severe weather swept through southwestern Ontario. While a yellow heat warning persisted for London as of 7 p.m., Norfolk County still had a tornado watch in effect.
Following a major storm from Michigan that hit the region around 5 p.m., Huron, Lambton, and Perth counties experienced power outages, leaving thousands without electricity. Grand Bend and Lambton Shores saw nearly 5,000 people offline, with an additional 3,500 without power near Goderich and surrounding areas. Power restoration was anticipated by 7:30 or 7:45 p.m. based on the Hydro One outage map.
In London, power outages occurred in Blackfriars and West London due to a small branch on a power line along Empress Avenue, with restoration expected by 10:30 p.m. The storm system prompted a red thunderstorm warning for areas north of London and along the Lake Huron shoreline from Ipperwash to Goderich.
Although a red tornado warning had been issued for certain areas, including Clinton, Mitchell, Seaforth, and Vanastra, it was lifted as the storm moved eastward. There have been no reports of significant damage, and it remains uncertain whether a downburst or tornado occurred.
Environment Canada initially issued an orange-level tornado watch, alerting about the potential for thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes with strong winds, large hail, and heavy rain. Severe weather meteorologist Rob Kuhn highlighted the period between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. as the highest risk window for severe weather occurrences.
Residents are advised by Environment Canada to stay updated on weather alerts and forecasts. In case of a tornado warning, seeking shelter indoors on the lowest floor away from windows and exterior walls is recommended. For those in mobile homes or vehicles, moving to a sturdy building is advised.
The severe weather coincided with an extreme heat warning in the London area, with temperatures expected to remain high. The Middlesex-London Health Unit urges precautions against heat-related issues and provides guidelines on their website. The weather forecast indicates a continued risk of thunderstorms late into Wednesday night, with cloudy conditions and a chance of showers expected on Thursday and Friday.