Heavy rainfall and severe thunderstorms are forecast across a large part of western Quebec and the Ottawa-Gatineau region, as issued in a new Environment Canada alert. As of Sunday afternoon, a rainfall warning is in effect for a broad zone northwest of Gatineau, in the Outaouais, with up to 100 millimetres (3.9 inches) of rain expected in some areas by Monday.
Rainfall warning in effect for parts of western Quebec
The warning, issued just after 1 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, signals that bands of intense rain will develop starting Sunday night and extend into Monday morning. According to Environment Canada, communities like Cantley, Wakefield, Shawville and Maniwaki could experience significant downpours, reaching or surpassing 100 mm (3.9 in) of precipitation by Monday afternoon.
This volume of rainfall, combined with embedded thunderstorms, presents the risk of localized flooding, flash floods, and washouts, particularly near rivers, creeks, and culverts in low-lying areas.
Thunderstorm watches in place across Ottawa-Gatineau
Elsewhere across the Ottawa-Gatineau region, a severe thunderstorm watch is in effect. As of 8 p.m. Sunday, this advisory stretches from Renfrew in the west, to Cornwall in the east, and southward to the Perth area. The alert also includes the city of Gatineau and much of the northeastern Outaouais.
Thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for the development of severe storms, while a warning indicates that a dangerous thunderstorm is occurring or imminent.
An earlier weather alert for Prescott-Russell has since been lifted.
Weather conditions remain highly unstable, with increased moisture and storm energy combining to produce volatile atmospheres across Eastern Ontario and Western Quebec this early July.
