Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the City of Toronto before the August long weekend has even had a chance to begin.

Citing the potential for dangerous thunderstorms, the watch explains that severe thunderstorm watches are issued “when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.”

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Yesterday, The Weather Network already warned of the potential for isolated tornados to appear this afternoon on the commute north of the city to cottage country.

Currently, the temperature in Toronto is 23.6°C with the forecast calling for showers and potential thunderstorms to hit the city sometime around noon.

A ‘watch’ is the first step in Environment Canada’s public weather alert system, after which comes a ‘warning’.

A severe thunderstorm watch is currently in effect across all of Southern Ontario:

Environment Canada

Stay tuned for more updates as the storm approaches Toronto.

Severe thunderstorm watch

Issued at 9:46 AM EDT Friday 04 August 2017:

Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, damaging hail and heavy rain.

There is the potential for severe thunderstorms beginning late this morning and this afternoon.

Very large hail can damage property, break windows, dent vehicles and cause serious injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!

Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall.

The Office of the Fire Marshal and Emergency Management recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.