Ontario tornado warnings bring 130 km/h gust threat — Red Warning - Severe Thunderstorm
Multiple tornado warnings were in effect across parts of southern Ontario Tuesday evening as severe thunderstorms moved through the region, with Environment Canada warning of possible tornadoes, destructive winds and large hail. The red warning - severe thunderstorm alerts covered communities in southwest Ontario and pushed toward the Niagara Region.
Environment Canada warned that wind gusts could reach between 110 and 130 km/h, with hail up to 2.5 centimetres in diameter. The agency also said, "This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation," and urged residents to take shelter immediately in a basement, interior room or sturdy building.
Brantford and Oxford County
Environment Canada issued tornado warnings for Brantford and the County of Brant, Simcoe-Delhi-Norfolk, and Woodstock-Tillsonburg-Oxford County. It said one tornado was located over Burgessville and another was near Springford, while the system moved east at about 80 km/h.
The warnings came after numerous tornado warnings were issued across a large portion of southwest Ontario between 5 and 7 p.m. Tuesday. Communities in the storm’s path included Norwich, Otterville, Princeton, Teeterville, Burford, Scotland, Waterford and Brantford.
Anthony Farnell on London
Anthony Farnell, Global News’ chief meteorologist, said there was potential for quick tornado spin ups as the severe storm moved through London, Ont., in the late afternoon. He also said there was potential for widespread 90-100 km/h straight line winds as the storm quickly passed through.
Farnell later said, "Numerous tornado warnings were issued across a large portion of southwest Ontario between 5 and 7 p.m. and these storms are now heading towards the Niagara Region," and added, "Along with likely isolated tornadoes (no reports of damage so far) there is also widespread straight-line winds that could gust as high as 130 km/h."
Environment Canada warning
Environment Canada says tornado warnings are issued when a thunderstorm is producing or is likely to produce a tornado. Tuesday’s warnings put that threshold into practice across multiple southern Ontario communities as the storm line advanced east.
For residents in the warned areas, the immediate instruction was simple: move to shelter in a basement, an interior room or a sturdy building and stay there until the danger passes.
