Montreal under severe thunderstorm watch

People use umbrellas as it rains in Montreal. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press)

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch in the Greater Montreal area on Saturday.

Impacted areas include the City of Montreal, several parts of its North and South Shore and the West Island.

Significant rainfall is on the way, with showers and thunderstorms developing, the department says.

“Conditions are now favourable to the repeated development of showers and thunderstorms that may cause flooding,” the notice says.

“The ground has a reduced ability to absorb the rain. Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and significant reductions to visibility.”