WEST CARLETON – Rural west Ottawa is under a severe thunderstorm watch.

Environment Canada issued the watch just before noon today (Aug. 21).

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms this afternoon and early this evening,” Environment Canada released in a statement. “These thunderstorms 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.

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.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@canada.ca or tweet reports using #ONStorm.

For more information on being prepared, click here.