Severe storm passes over northeastern Ont., tornado watch ends

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7-Day weather forecast for northeastern Ontario

Red Cross: "Be Prepared-Know Your Risks"

Update:

As of 10 p.m., Environment Canada has ended all storm-related watches and warnings in northeastern Ontario after Timmins and several surrounding communities experienced an evening of hail, high winds and torrential downpours.

In a brief phone interview with CTVNorthernOntario.ca, Environment Canada meteorologists confirmed that as of shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday that they had not received any reports of funnel clouds or downburst-like activity.

“Nothing like that this time ... yet,” the agency’s spokesperson said.

Environment Canada did confirm severe weather and storm activity in the area and officials say reports from the public can often be received after significant weather events have ended.

If you have pictures of Saturday’s storm, send them to us at [e-mail].

Original story:

Tornado risk, severe storms prompt warnings in northeastern Ont.

Environment Canada issued tornado watches were issued for Timmins, Cochrane, Englehart, Iroquois Falls, Kirkland Lake, Temagami and Temiskaming Shores, with conditions favourable for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes, wind gusts up to 100 km/h, toonie-sized hail, and intense rainfall exceeding 50 mm per hour.

“Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes,” the enviromental agency warned, advising residents to seek shelter in a basement or interior room if a tornado develops.

Emergency Management Ontario echoed the warnings, urging people to avoid mobile homes and vehicles during severe weather.

“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” Environment Canada stated in its alert, urging residents to take immediate cover if threatening weather approaches.

Thunderstorm warning also in effect in some areas

Meanwhile, severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Kirkland Lake and Englehart on Saturday evening as a dangerous storm system brought heavy rain and powerful winds to northeastern Ontario.

As of 8:11 p.m. meteorologists tracked a line of severe thunderstorms stretching from Kinabik Lake to 15 kilometres northwest of Argyle Lake, moving east at 45 km/h. The storm was capable of producing wind gusts up to 90 km/h and rainfall exceeding 50 mm, raising concerns of flash flooding and reduced visibility.

Affected locations included Kirkland Lake, Argyle Lake, Barris Lake, Beaver House Lake, Diamond Lake, Grassy Lake, Kenaja Lake, Kenogami Lake, Kearns, Kinabik Lake, Misema Lake, North Arm, Northlands Park, Sesekinika Lake, Slim Lake, Virginiatown and Watabeag Lake.

Residents were advised to monitor Environment Canada for updates and report severe weather to [e-mail] or via social media using #ONStorm.

More preparedness information is available on the Government of Ontario website.