Toronto remains under a severe thunderstorm watch after Environment Canada lifted a series of thunderstorm warnings that had been issued earlier Thursday afternoon.
The national weather agency says conditions remain favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning across Toronto and much of the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
Environment Canada says localized rainfall amounts of more than 60 millimetres and wind gusts reaching 90 km/h are still possible through the rest of the afternoon and into the early evening.
STORM FORECAST
The agency warns that some areas could receive higher rainfall totals if multiple thunderstorms move over the same location.
Residents are urged to monitor weather alerts, seek shelter if threatening weather develops, avoid driving through flooded roadways and secure loose outdoor objects.
3:52 p.m. – Rounds of showers and storms still possible in GTA
A severe thunderstorm warning has now ended for the city of Toronto, but rounds of showers and storms are still possible through the late afternoon and early evening. A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place.
The biggest threats with these kinds of storms are heavy downpours and strong winds, although there has also been frequent lightning. There have been reports of power outages and downed trees in parts of the GTA.
Timelapse video shows massive thunderstorm roll into Toronto CP24’s storm cam captures a massive thunderstorm rolling into Toronto on Thursday.
Conditions have been ripe for the development of storms today with our hot, humid airmass and a cold front slicing through.
Strong thunderstorms are now tracking into Niagara region, with areas like St. Catharines, Welland, Fort Erie and Cayuga all in the path.
-Lyndsay Morrison, CTV News Toronto weather anchor
3:50 p.m. – Power outages impacting parts of Burlington, Milton
There are roughly 8,000 customers in Milton experiencing power outages at this time, according to the local hydro company.
Milton Hydro says crews are working to remove branches and trees, and repair lines to restore power to homes. At this time they anticipate, power will be restored at around 8 p.m.
Burlington Hydro says it is also aware of several outages across the city as a result of Thursday’s storm, adding that crews are assessing the damage and working to restore power “safely and quickly.”
Alex Arsenych, CTVNewsToronto.ca journalist
3:45 p.m. – High winds down trees on roadways in Halton Region
Police in Halton Region say they’ve received multiple calls for downed trees on roadways throughout the area “due to high winds.”
As a result, they’re urging drivers to “exercise caution” this afternoon and evening and stay home, if possible,
– Joanna Lavoie, CP24.com Journalist
3:55 p.m. – Flooding reported on roadway, sidewalks in downtown Toronto
Toronto police are advising motorists to use alternate routes after reports of flooding on the roadway and sidewalk in the downtown core.In a post on X made just before 3:30 p.m., police say the flooding is affecting the area of Simcoe Street and Front Street West.No injuries have been reported.Currently, Simcoe Street is closed between Front Street West and Bremner Boulevard.