After tornado warnings, thunderstorm risk continues

Friday, June 16, 2017, 6:15 AM - A potent system over the Prairies began tracking into northwestern Ontario Wednesday, fuelling tornado warnings and severe thunderstorm warnings.

More storms are possible in the region Thursday, though Weather Network meteorologist Erin Wenckstern says they will generally be east of Dryden, including Thunder Bay.

"The main threats are heavy rain, winds and small hail, similar to yesterday," Wenckstern said early Thursday.

The south, meanwhile, carries its own storm risk Thursday.

Quick Facts:

• Northwestern Ontario saw tornado warnings for Kenora, Dryden, Grassy Narrows, Whitedog, and Vermilion Bay Wednesday evening.
• Thunderstorm risk for GTA and much of southern Ontario Thursday
• Showers clear out by Friday morning

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With heat and humidity pushing into the south from the west, there is an increased chance of storms through the day ahead of a slow-moving warm front.

"A lot of moisture from the Gulf of Mexico feeding up into the Great Lakes keeps the main threat of these storms as heavy to torrential downpours," Wenckstern says. "With such dense moisture, another threat will be localized gusty winds with rain loaded downdrafts."

"The trailing boundary will slide north of the southern lakes for Friday, allowing the upper-20 temperatures to return to finish the week," adds The Weather Network meteorologist Kevin MacKay.

Father's Day Weekend

Looking ahead, Father's Day weekend will feature some wet weather.

"It's still a tricky forecast for the weekend with the threat for occasional showers and thunderstorms, but not a washout, as there will also be extended rain-free periods with some sunshine and opportunity to get outside to enjoy the summer weather, especially on Saturday," Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham says.

Sunday, however, will see a potent system tracking into the upper Great Lakes and northern Ontario, bringing heavy rain and the risk of thunderstorms to a large area of the north, along with parts of central and southern Ontario.

"We are monitoring the threat for strong to severe storms across the south Sunday and into Sunday night with torrential rain and strong winds," Gillham says.

Check back for updates as we continue to monitor the forecast.

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