Weather Issues Impacting Northern Ontario

THUNDER BAY – WEATHER – A Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for Much of Northwestern Ontario

Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for:

Kakabeka Falls – Whitefish Lake – Arrow Lake

Atikokan – Shebandowan – Quetico Park
Upsala – Raith

Severe thunderstorm conditions possible – afternoon to early evening.

Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail.

Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. In Canada, lightning kills up to 10 people every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors.

Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches.

This is a sharp contrast to the far north of Ontario.

Heat Warnings

Heat Warning in effect for:

Fort Severn
Heat conditions – afternoon to evening.

An unusually hot and humid airmass is expected to give humidex values of near 40 over northern Ontario this afternoon.

Heat illnesses include heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat fainting, heat edema (swelling of hands, feet and ankles), heat rash and heat cramps (muscle cramps).

Drink plenty of liquids especially water before you feel thirsty to decrease your risk of dehydration. Thirst is not a good indicator of dehydration.

Frequently visit neighbours, friends and older family members, especially those who are chronically ill, to make sure that they are cool and hydrated.

Heat warnings are issued when very high temperature or humidity conditions are expected to pose an elevated risk of heat illnesses, such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

Environment Canada meteorologists will update alerts as required, so stay tuned to your local media or Weatheradio. Email reports of severe weather to storm.ontario@ec.gc.ca or tweet with the hashtag #ONStorm.