Summer’s last gasp Friday comes with rain, a chance of thunderstorms, rising heat and humidity, and gusty winds.
Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for a wide swath of eastern Ontario, including Ottawa.
“Thunderstorms are expected to develop ahead of a cold front beginning this afternoon. Wind gusts up to 100 km/h will be possible,” the agency said in a notice on its website.
“These thunderstorms will move through the area by early evening. Very strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and blow large vehicles off the road.”
The communities affected include Cornwall, Morrisburg, Kingston, Brockville, Leeds and Grenville, Prescott and Russell, Smiths Falls, Lanark, Sharbot Lake, Renfrew and Pembroke.
High winds
Environment Canada earlier issued special weather statements for much of the region, saying winds could gust to 80 km/h on Friday afternoon and early in the evening as the cold front moves through.
Winds of 60 to 70 km/h are expected to continue after the cold front passes in the evening, then diminish overnight.
So far a wind warning has only been issued for the Kingston, which could see winds gusting at about 90 km/h.
The temperature in Ottawa is expected to reach about 26 C, but will feel more like 34 with the humidity.
Thunderstorms are possible later this afternoon and evening, but a bright and cooler weekend lies ahead as we say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.
