Thunderstorm over eastern Ontario prompts brief tornado warnings for Ottawa region

Heavy rain in downtown Ottawa on Tuesday, July 21. (Westin Camera)

A thunderstorm moving over eastern Ontario prompted some brief tornado warnings Tuesday afternoon, sending alerts to cellphones across Ottawa and other parts of the region.

All tornado warnings have since ended.

At 4:11 p.m., Environment Canada said meteorologists were tracking a thunderstorm that is “possibly producing a tornado” and that damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.

By 4:23 p.m. the red warning-tornado was cancelled for Ottawa and was then in effect for the Prescott-Russell area. That warning ended just before 5 p.m., with a yellow warning-severe thunderstorm remaining in place.

It is unclear at this time whether a tornado touched down anywhere in the region.

Environment Canada had earlier issued a yellow warning-severe thunderstorm for Ottawa, calling for torrential downpours and wind gusts of up to 110 km/h. That warning has since ended, but a yellow watch-severe thunderstorm remains in effect for Ottawa.

“The main hazards will be heavy rainfall and damaging wind gusts. Local rainfall amounts in excess of 50 mm may occur for areas that receive multiple thunderstorms,” the weather agency said.

“The greatest likelihood for damaging wind gusts is expected to be over southwestern Ontario. A few instances of large hail are possible.”

The forecast calls for 15 to 20 mm of rain in Ottawa by tonight.

The rain is expected to end by midnight, according to Environment Canada.

A total of 177.8 mm of rain has already been recorded at the Ottawa International Airport weather station this month, including a record 118.4 mm of rain on Canada Day.

Forecast

Environment Canada says showers will continue this afternoon. There is a risk of a thunderstorm. High 25 C with the humidex making it feel like 30.

Showers will end near midnight then cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers. Low 17 C.

Wednesday will be cloudy with a 40 per cent chance of showers in the morning. High 21 C.

Sunshine will return on Thursday. High 25 C.

The outlook for Friday will be sunny. High 27 C.

Saturday will see a mix of sun and cloud. High 29 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 27 C and a low of 16 C.

• Hourly and 7-day forecast on our CTVNewsOttawa.ca weather hub