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Another tornado watch this afternoon

Besides tornadoes, potential hazards include frequent cloud to ground lightning, hail, wind gusts reaching 120 km/h and local rainfall of up to 50 mm in an hour
2021 09 14 tornado-thunderstorm-pexels-raychel-sanner-4870641
Stock image.

Environment Canada has issued a tornado watch, in effect this afternoon for:

  • North Bay - Powassan - Mattawa
  • West Nipissing - French River

Environment Canada has issued several tornado watches for the area over the past few weeks and reports today conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes.

Besides possible tornadoes, potential hazards include frequent cloud to ground lightning, hail, wind gusts reaching 120 km/h and local rainfall of up to 50 mm in an hour.

A line of severe thunderstorms is expected to move eastward across the region this afternoon. Some of these storms will likely contain tornadoes. This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is recommended you take the following actions:

  • Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.
  • Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and another temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can.
  • As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.
  • Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.