A severe thunderstorm warning for York-Durham Region has been lifted as an unstable air mass sweeps across central Ontario.
The York-Durham communities of Pickering, Oshawa, and Southern Durham were previously warned of severe thunderstorms, heavy wind and hail.
Some severe thunderstorm watches have been lifted throughout the province, but remain in place for other parts of Ontario extending from North Bay down to Waterloo.
The storms are expected to pass over Toronto, but areas surrounding the city lie in the path of an unstable air mass moving across central Ontario.
Thunderstorms are predicted to develop late Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, and Environment Canada is forecasting powerful wind gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour. The storms may also bring heavy rain or hail.
Frequent lightning is expected and tornadoes can occur during severe storms, Environment Canada warned in an online alert.
If threatening weather approaches, Emergency Management Ontario recommends that residents of the affected area take shelter immediately.
The following areas are included in the severe thunderstorm warning:
- Renfrew-Pembroke-Barry's Bay
The following areas remain under thunderstorm watch:
- Bancroft – Bon Echo Park
- Belleville-Quinte-Northumberland
- Haliburton
- Peterborough-Kawartha Lakes
- Stirling-Tweed-South Frontenace
- North Bay-West Nipissing
- York-Durham
