Toronto is once again at the centre of a weather alert, as Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the entire urban area this Thursday evening, just as residents were already enduring a blistering heat wave.
Shortly before 17:00 local time, the federal agency warned that conditions are ideal for the formation of dangerous thunderstorms, with the potential to unleash damaging wind gusts, large hailstones, and torrential downpours.
Wind speeds could hit 90 kilometres per hour, while rainfall amounts may surge up to 50 millimetres in a short period. If storm cells fully intensify, hail the size of nickels could fall across neighbourhoods of Toronto by nightfall.
“When thunder roars, go indoors,” warned Environment Canada, underscoring the danger of lightning strikes, which continue to injure and kill people across Canada every year. The advisory also cautioned drivers to avoid water-covered roads, stressing that even a shallow flood can prove treacherous.
The looming storms arrive as Toronto grapples with oppressive humidity and record-breaking heat, with the humidex pushing perceived temperatures well beyond 40 °C (104 °F) earlier in the day. July’s heat surge follows a blistering June, during which many parts of Ontario shattered historic temperature records with daytime highs soaring into the mid-30s °C (mid-90s °F).
Despite the risk, the storms may deliver a temporary respite from the suffocating heat that’s dominated Southern Ontario this week.
