Severe thunderstorm watch in effect for Ontario is unusual for winter

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm warning throughout southwestern Ontario and the Capital region of Ontario, calling for “damaging winds” and “toonie-sized” hail.

“Conditions are favourable for severe thunderstorms to redevelop over the areas after 2:00 PM this afternoon,” the statement reads. “The main threats are torrential downpours, hail up to toonie size and intense lightning.”

cbc.ca quoted CBC meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe saying it is unusual for southern Ontario to see thunderstorms so early in the year.

“It is technically still winter, so this is early, although not completely unheard of, to get thunderstorms this early,” Wagstaffe told cbc.ca. “This setup that we’re looking at in the atmosphere is more April than March-like.”