Thunderstorms and strong winds could hit Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County

Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch and warning for Waterloo region, Guelph-Wellington and surrounding areas, as well as a special weather statement for strong winds.

In an online notice, the weather agency says the conditions are favourable for "the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts and large hail."

There is also the risk of a tornado.

A cold front is expected to move through the area early Tuesday afternoon into the early evening.

"Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road," said Environment Canada.

People are being asked to be prepared for severe weather and take cover if there are severe thunderstorm strikes in the area.

"There isn't a place outside that is safe during a thunderstorm," Environment Canada warned.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) posted a warning to drivers on X. 

"Be prepared for visibility issues!" the post warned, adding "heavy rain and strong winds passing through West Region. OPP urging all drivers to slow down and drive safely!"

The severe thunderstorm warning has been issued for these areas:

• Waterloo. 
• Orangeville. 
• Elmira. 
• Fergus. 
• Erin. 
• Caledon. 
• New Tecumseth. 
• Linwood. 
• Alma. 
• Elora. 
• Mono Centre. 
• Forks of the Credit Provincial Park.
• Tottenham.
• Beeton.
• Schomberg. 
• Poole. 
• Millbank. 
• St. Clements. 
• Hawkesville.
• Wallenstein.

"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, torrential rainfall," the release said.

Tuesday's weather forecast for Waterloo region, Guelph-Wellington and surrounding areas says there's a 70 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon with a high of 24 C.

There's a 30 per cent chance of showers with risk of a thunderstorm early Tuesday evening as well.

Barbara Lapido, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, says there's a line of thunderstorms over Lake Huron and Georgian Bay moving southeast. She explained the difference between a watch and a warning.

"Once we know that the thunderstorms are effectively forming on a region, that's when we issue the warning," she said.

"The watch means that the conditions are there, there is a good chance that it's going to happen," she said. "The warning is, it's starting to happen, so in the next few minutes to an hour, it's going to happen."

The warm, humid temperatures Waterloo region experienced on Monday and Tuesday will give way to more seasonal temperatures for the rest of the week, Lapido said, becoming cool overnight with temperatures getting close to the freezing mark.

"It's not that uncommon," she said. "It's not even close to a record for cold temperatures. But I understand that it's a change comparing to these last couple of days, but actually these last couple of days have been unseasonably warm."