Severe thunderstorm watch issued for Toronto, other parts of GTA

Rain toronto A pedestrian walks alongside businesses on a rainy day while wearing a protective mask during the COVID-19 pandemic in Toronto on Friday, June 18, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Phil Tsekouras Phil Tsekouras, Multi-Platform Writer, CTV News Toronto @PhilTsekouras Published Tuesday, July 20, 2021 1:39PM EDT Last Updated Tuesday, July 20, 2021 1:40PM EDT Residents in Toronto, Peel and Halton regions should be on the lookout for severe thunderstorms in the area Tuesday afternoon and into the evening, according to Environment Canada. The agency issued the severe thunderstorm watch alert this afternoon, saying the weather event could bring with it gusts of up to 90 kilometres per hour and up to nickel-sized hail. “Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road,” Environment Canada said in the alert. “Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!” Tuesday’s alert comes as much of southern Ontario remains under a special air quality statement due to the smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario blowing southward. SHARE: Share10Reddit Share News Tips Report Errors TOP VIDEOS falseJeff Bezos 'Best day ever:' Bezos blasts into space falseTory Mayor: Encampments at city parks must be cleared falsevaccine update Federal officials provide vaccine update