Severe thunderstorm warning: strong winds and hail threaten ...

Environment Canada meteorologists are monitoring an area of severe thunderstorms that could generate strong wind gusts and nickel-to-toonie-size hail.

According to Environment Canada there are two severe thunderstorms within Simcoe Muskoka, the first severe thunderstorm is situated near Oro and is moving east at a speed of 45 km/h.

The storm system is expected to create hazardous nickel-sized hail and bring 90 km/h wind gusts.

Barrie, Innisfil, Little Lake, Oro, Kempenfelt Bay, Hawkestone, and Georgina Island may be impacted.

The second severe thunderstorm is located 5 kilometres southwest of Cookstown and is moving eastward at 35 km/h.

This storm is forecasted to bring hazards such as toonie-size hail and 90 km/h wind gusts; areas that may be impacted include Bradford, Cookstown, Keswick, Deerhurst, Gilford, and Maple Hill.

Large hail has the potential to cause property damage and pose a risk of injury, and strong wind gusts can result in the tossing of loose objects, damage to weak buildings, breakage of tree branches, and overturning of large vehicles. Locally heavy rainfall is also a possibility.

Emergency Management Ontario advises immediate sheltering if threatening weather approaches as severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are likely to produce or are producing one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, and torrential rainfall.