Severe thunderstorm warning lifted for Ottawa-Gatineau

Ominous storm clouds pass by Parliament Hill in 2020. Environment Canada has issued several thunderstorm watches and warnings for the region, although it has lifted a tornado warning for the Deep River, Ont., area. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press - image credit)
Ominous storm clouds pass by Parliament Hill in 2020. Environment Canada has issued several thunderstorm watches and warnings for the region, although it has lifted a tornado warning for the Deep River, Ont., area. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press - image credit)

Environment Canada has lifted a severe thunderstorm warning for Ottawa-Gatineau, although it continues to track powerful storms capable of brutal wind gusts and toonie-sized hail.

As of 7:30 p.m. ET, thunderstorm warnings were in place elsewhere in eastern Ontario and western Quebec, including such communities as:

  • Pembroke

  • Eganville

  • Petawawa

  • Maniwaki

  • Quyon

  • Wakefield

  • Chelsea

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in place for Ottawa-Gatineau as well as many surrounding communities including Kingston, Pembroke, Cornwall, Perth and Brockville.

In Ottawa, storms this evening could produce wind gusts of up to 90 km/h and toonie-sized hail.

Environment Canada had previously issued tornado warnings for the Barry's Bay and Deep River areas but those have been lifted.

There is currently no mention of a potential tornado for the nation's capital.

This map shows the extent of thunderstorm watches (yellow) and warnings (red) in place for the region as of 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.
This map shows the extent of thunderstorm watches (yellow) and warnings (red) in place for the region as of 6:45 p.m. Wednesday.

This map shows the extent of thunderstorm watches (yellow) and warnings (red) in place for the region as of 6:45 p.m. Wednesday. (Environment Canada)

Ottawa's main airport recorded 17.4 millimetres of rain in a few hours during Tuesday's storm, the greatest single-day volume in six weeks.

Wednesday's forecasted high temperature in Ottawa is 30 C, with humidity making it feel as hot as 37. The capital hasn't reached 30 C since early October.

Daily heat records are possible Wednesday in communities including Brockville, Cornwall, Kingston and Belleville.