A tornado watch has been issued for London and eastern Middlesex County as a severe thunderstorm heads towards the area on Wednesday afternoon. Environment Canada issued the orange-level watch at 4:25 p.m. ET, warning of conditions favorable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing a tornado.
The watch encompasses a swath of southwestern Ontario, from Goderich through the London area. The storm is anticipated to bring wind gusts exceeding 110 km/h, quarter- to loonie-sized hail, and heavy downpours, according to the weather agency.
Environment Canada stated that a severe thunderstorm is moving across Lake Huron and is projected to reach the Lake Huron shores within the next hour. The region is primed for the storm to spawn tornadoes along with strong and potentially destructive winds.
Earlier in the day, Environment Canada had cautioned that a significant thunderstorm system might sweep through southwestern Ontario during the afternoon and evening. Severe weather meteorologist Rob Kuhn mentioned that the peak risk was anticipated between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. ET, with the possibility of heavy rainfall, large hail, and damaging wind gusts.
Individuals are advised to monitor weather updates and forecasts closely. In the event of a tornado warning, people should immediately seek shelter indoors in a room on the lowest floor, away from windows and external walls. Those in mobile homes or vehicles are encouraged to move to a sturdy building if feasible.
The tornado watch coincides with an ongoing extreme heat advisory for the London area. The daytime high for Wednesday is forecasted to reach 32°C, with the humidex making it feel like 41°C. Precautions such as staying hydrated, limiting outdoor activities, seeking shade, and avoiding leaving children or pets in parked cars are recommended.
Overnight temperatures are expected to dip only to 19°C, with weather conditions projected to calm down swiftly post the storm. Thursday will be mostly cloudy with a chance of showers late in the afternoon and a high of 27°C, feeling more like 35°C. Friday and Saturday are anticipated to be cloudy with chances of showers and highs of 26°C and 24°C, respectively.