Severe thunderstorm warning ends in North Bay

A severe thunderstorm watch has ended in the North Bay area, Environment Canada said late Tuesday afternoon.

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Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for North Bay, Powassan and Mattawa on Tuesday afternoon, with hail winds up to 90 km/h possible.

A tornado is also possible.

“Meteorologists are tracking a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” the warning said.

“This line of severe thunderstorms is located from 12 kilometres northeast of Widdifield Forest Provincial Park to Pickerel Lake, moving east at 80 km/h.”

Affected areas include Mattawa, Mikisew Provincial Park, South River, Powassan, Mattawa River Provincial Park, Alexander Lake Forest Provincial Park, Amable du Fond Provincial Park and Samuel de Champlain Provincial Park.

“Large hail can damage property and cause injury,” Environment Canada said.

Intense lightning

“Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Intense lightning is likely with any thunderstorm that develops. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.”

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Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

To report severe weather, send an email to [e-mail].

For more information on being ready for an emergency, click here.

Also on Tuesday, a flood watch was issued for the Mattawa River downstream of Hurdman Dam to the Ottawa River.

And the flood outlook remains in effect for the remainder of the North Bay–Mattawa watershed, including Chippewa Creek.

“Several rounds of rain are forecast for today and Thursday into Friday, with a four-day total of approximately 45 mm of rain possible,” said Angela Mills, NBMCA flood duty officer.

“Water levels and flows are expected to increase in response to the rainfall and melt of remaining snowpack, particularly in the northern tributaries to Lake Nipissing and northern reaches of the Upper Ottawa River watershed.”

Flow from the Ottawa River directly impacts the water level on the Mattawa River downstream of Hurdman Dam.