Severe thunderstorm watch

Toronto’s Weather: When Hail Falls and Tornadoes Call!

Get ready, Toronto! Severe thunderstorms, nickel-sized hail, and tornado watches are brewing in the skies! 🌩️☔️

Severe thunderstorms are making headlines across the Greater Toronto Area, leaving residents to double-check their outdoor plans. Environment Canada has confirmed that these meteorological marvels could unleash strong wind gusts, nickel-sized hailstones, and torrential downpours. So, if you had any plans to bask in the sun or enjoy a barbecue this weekend, it might be wise to put those on hold, unless you're prepared to become a human weather vane!

As conditions worsen, Torontonians will want to be particularly vigilant – reports of a tornado watch have been issued, which means you need to take any rumbling sounds as seriously as a cat on a hot tin roof. If you happen to see a funnel cloud or swirling debris, you are advised to take shelter in the lowest level of your home. Onlookers may also find it hard to believe, but those "toonie-sized" hailstones might just add a whole new twist to your ice-cold beverages!

Meanwhile, Hamilton and the surrounding regions are not escaping Mother Nature’s wrath either. With heavy rain leading to localized flooding, these areas are also under severe thunderstorm warnings. Residents are encouraged to stay tuned for updates, as the weather might vary faster than a raccoon on a quest for snacks!

But that's not all! Reports have indicated that Toronto’s weather is akin to a dramatic soap opera - one minute you’re bracing yourself for hail, and the next minute, the thunderstorm warnings in certain regions have been downgraded. So why not grab some popcorn and enjoy the show... from your cozy couch?

Did you know that a single severe thunderstorm can drop more than six inches of rain in just a few hours? That’s enough to fill a kiddie pool for all the neighborhood ducks! Also, when it comes to hail, the largest recorded hailstone in Canada was the size of a volleyball – watch out, folks, we’re ready for another ice-age challenge!