Severe thunderstorms packing torrential rain, strong winds, and large hail are hitting parts of southwestern Ontario Thursday.
Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Sarnia-Lambton, London, Middlesex County, Oxford County, Huron County, Perth County, Bruce County, Grey County, Elgin County, Chatham-Kent, and Essex County.
Those watches were later upgraded to severe thunderstorm warnings for much of the region, while a tornado warning was issued for Sarnia-Lambton. That warning was lifted just before 5 p.m.
Also before 5 p.m., a tornado warning was also issued for the Owen Sound area. The warning was lifted within the hour.
By 6:45 p.m., all thunderstorm warnings wand watches had lifted.
Anyone who is outdoors when severe weather moves in is advised to take cover immediately.
"Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors," said Environment Canada.
The risk of thunderstorms will diminish as a cold front passes through the region Thursday night. This will lead to a cooler start to the weekend, with temperatures for Friday expected to rise to 22 C - five degrees lower than the average daytime high for this time of year.
