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Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the city of Toronto on Wednesday, along with other parts of Southern Ontario. Several regions have also been places under tornado watches and warnings.

Tornado warnings were issued at 8:16 p.m. for St. Thomas-Aylmer-Eastern Elgin County and at 8:36 p.m. for Brantford-County of Brant.

Tornado watches have been issued for the following locations: Waterloo-Wellington, Grey-Bruce, Huron-Perth, London-Middlesex, Barrie-Orillia-Midland, Burk’s Falls-Bayfield Inlet, Algonquin, Dufferin-Innisfil, Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent, and Parry Sound-Muskoka.

Affected areas are advised that “thunderstorms that develop over Eastern Michigan are expected to affect the area beginning this afternoon. A few tornadoes are possible, some of which may be strong.”

“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail,” the agency stated in a news release early afternoon.

The potential hazards to watch for include “damaging wind gusts up to 100 km/h” and “nickel-size hail,” according to the agency.

The agency said thunderstorms are expected to begin late in the afternoon. The main hazard will be the wind gusts, the agency said.

“There is some uncertainty as to how far east the risk of severe weather will continue this evening.”

The agency is reminding the public that large hail can damage property and cause injury. “Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.”

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management is recommending the public to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

What to do in the event of a tornado

If a tornado warning is issued for your area, Environment Canada recommends people go indoors.

Go to a room on the lowest floor and stay away from outside walls and windows.

Good places to remain indoors would be basements, bathrooms, stairwells, or interior closets, says the agency.

Don’t stay in a mobile home, inside a vehicle, a tent, a trailer or any other temporary free-standing shelter, and try to move indoors to a “strong building.”

If you are caught outside and unable to get indoors, as a last resort, Environment Canada says you should lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.

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

Drivers should pay close attention to highway billboards that could provide updated information on driving conditions.

What is the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning?

According to Environment Canada, a tornado watch is issued when severe thunderstorms are forecast and conditions are “favourable for one or more tornadoes” to develop within a defined “watch zone.”

Watches usually encompass a large geographical area, while warnings are typically smaller areas and focused on cities.

The National Weather Service (NWS) in the U.S. says a tornado watch requires people to be prepared, that tornadoes are possible and people should review and discuss emergency plans and check supplies.

The NWS says a tornado warning demands people take action, because a tornado has been sighted or detected on weather radar and poses “imminent danger to life and property.”

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