Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Northumberland County

“Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” reads the Environment Canada website.

Hazards include:

• 90 km/h wind gusts.

• Nickel size hail.

• Heavy downpours.

“Thunderstorms are expected to develop this afternoon ahead of a cold front tracking through the area. The main threats with these storms will be strong wind gusts up to 90 km/h and hail up to nickel size,” states Environment Canada. “Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada.

To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm