Lightning strike. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Hoekstra)Lightning strike. (Photo courtesy of Rachel Hoekstra)
Sarnia

Severe thunderstorms possible in southwestern Ontario

A heat alert in effect for most of the region is helping make conditions right for severe thunderstorms to occur according to Environment Canada.

Just before 8 p.m. Tuesday, the weather agency issued a severe thunderstorm watch for some areas including parts of Windsor-Essex, Chatham-Kent along with Sarnia-Lambton County.

At around 9:35 p.m., the watch was upgraded to a warning for areas in Chatham-Kent and Lambton County including Dresden, Bentpath and Arkwood. Less than half an hour later, Amherstburg was included in the warning while the rest of Windsor-Essex remains under a watch.

All warnings for the area were lifted by 11:30 p.m. however, a severe thunderstorm watches remains in place.

Meteorologists are tracking a line of storms capable of producing severe storms moving in from the west.

These thunderstorms are capable of producing intense wind gusts of up to 90 km/h, small hail and heavy downpours.

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when conditions are favourable for a destructive storm to develop.

Environment Canada said it will continue to monitor the radar and may update a watch to a warning if necessary.

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