Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Ottawa Tuesday evening

The tulips in bloom along Elgin Street in front of the Office of the Prime Minister and Privy Council. (Josh Pringle/CTV News Ottawa)

It could be a stormy night in the nation’s capital, as Environment Canada says conditions are favourable for the development of a severe thunderstorm in the region.

It was a hot, muggy day in the capital, reaching a high of nearly 29 C with the humidex making it feel more like 35.

The temperature warmed up to 28.3 C on Monday. Tuesday saw a high about 0.5 C warmer.

A yellow warning - severe thunderstorm was issued for Ottawa just after 7:30 p.m.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail,” Environment Canada said. “A tornado is also possible.”

The storm watch says damaging wind gusts will be the main threat with these storms.

“Local utility outages are possible. Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible. When thunder roars, go indoors! Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.”

Showers are expected to begin this evening then change to cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers overnight. There is a risk of a thunderstorm. Low 17 C.

Wednesday will be cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers early in the morning. Environment Canada says it will clear later in the morning. High 21 C with the temperature falling to 12 C in the afternoon.

Sunshine is in the forecast for Thursday. High 17 C.

The outlook for Friday calls for sunshine. High 21 C.

It will be cloudy on Saturday. High 16 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 21 C and a low of 9 C.

Severe thunderstorm watch

A severe thunderstorm watch is in also in effect for parts of the Ottawa Valley and western Quebec.

The watch covers an area that includes Cobden, Pembroke, Petawawa, Killaloe and western Quebec communities including Montebello Val-des-Mont, Wakefield, Pontiac, Shawville and Campbell’s Bay.

The warning for eastern Ontario says, “Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail.”

Environment Canada warns a tornado is also possible for eastern Ontario, along with wind gusts up to 110 km/h.

Spots to cool off

If you are looking to cool off during the hot and humid weather, splash pads are open across Ottawa.

Most splash pads will be open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.

Splash pads are in operation until Sept. 20.

There are no lifeguards on duty at Ottawa’s four public beaches.

Lifeguards begin duty at Mooney’s Bay, Britannia, Petrie Island and Westboro beaches on June 20. The beach season runs from June 20 to Aug. 7.

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