WEST CARLETON – Environment Canada is warning residents conditions are favourable for a severe thunderstorm this afternoon (June 26), in to the evening.

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain,” Environment Canada released in a statement this morning. “Thunderstorms are forecast to develop this afternoon and persist in to this evening. The main threats are wind gusts up to 100 km/h and two centimetres of hail. There is also the threat of an isolated tornado.”

Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.

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 and/or torrential rainfall.

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

For more information on being prepared, click here.