Update: Tornado warning ended — Severe thunderstorms in forecast for Kingston area, tornado watch in effect in surrounding areas
Update (Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022, at 5:10 p.m.)
The severe thunderstorm warning that had been in effect for the Kingston area has now ended, according to Environment Canada.
This is the case for the Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, and Consecon areas, and the previous tornado warnings in the KFL&A region have all ended.
Storm cells remain in the forecast for the region, but have now been downgraded and are no longer under severe thunderstorm warnings or watches, as issued by Environment Canada.
For a list of all alerts issued by Environment Canada, visit their Public Weather Alerts page.
Update (Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022, at 4:45 p.m.)
The Tornado warnings issued for the Kingston and South Frontenac areas have now ended. The severe thunderstorm warning for the Stirling-Tweed-South Frontenac areas has also now ended, but the severe thunderstorm warning for the Kingston area remains in effect with the following update issued by Environment Canada for the Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, Consecon, Picton, and Sandbanks Park areas:
“At 4:42 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a dangerous thunderstorm capable of producing damaging wind gusts and up to nickel size hail. This severe thunderstorm is located 6 kilometres southeast of Colonel By Lake, moving east at 65 km/h.”
Potential hazards of high winds to 100 km/h and nickle-sized hail remain in effect.
Kingstonist will continue to monitor this weather activity and provide updates as needed.
Update (Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022, at 4:25 p.m.):
Environment Canada has now issued a tornado warning for the Kingston, Frontenac Islands, and Odessa areas.
“At 4:21 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible,” the national weather agency said in the warning.
“Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately.”
A tornado warning has also been issued for Stirling-Tweed-South Frontenac. At 4:21 p.m., Environment Canada advised “meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.”
“Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. If you hear a roaring sound or see a funnel cloud, swirling debris near the ground, flying debris, or any threatening weather approaching, take shelter immediately,” the tornado warning reads.
“Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet. Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”
Update (Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.):
A severe thunderstorm warning is now in affect for the Kingston, Napanee, and Frontenac areas, according to Environment Canada.
Environment Canada has now upgraded the severe thunderstorm watch for the Kingston—Prince Edward areas and the Stirling—Tweed—South Frontenac areas to a severe thunderstorm warning.
The severe thunderstorm warning for the Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, and Consecon areas was issued at 3:28 p.m., and advises that “Persons in or near this area should be on the lookout for adverse weather conditions and take necessary safety precautions.”
The severe thunderstorm warning for the Stirling, Tweed, Madoc, Tamworth, Sydenham, and South Frontenac areas was issued at the same time, however, that warning explains that, as of 3:28 p.m., “Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts and up to nickel size hail.”
“This severe thunderstorm is located near Moneymore, moving east at 50 km/h,” the warning reads, indicating that hazards of 90 km/h winds and nickle-sized hail are possible.
According to Environment Canada, Moneymore, Myrehall, Naphan, Ebenezer, Marlbank, Roblin, Strathcona, Centreville, Milsap, and Camden Lake are forecast to be impacted areas.
To the east, a severe thunderstorm warning has now been issued for the Brockville—Leeds and Grenville areas, as well. At 3:55 p.m., that warning was issued for the Gananoque, Westport, Mallorytown, and Charleston Lake areas, and noted “Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts and up to toonie size hail.
This severe thunderstorm is located near Chippewa, and moving east at 50 km/h, Environment Canada said, listing the following as areas of impact:
Sydenham, Frontenac Provincial Park, Milsap, Camden Lake, Chippewa, Varty Lake, Colebrook, Napanee Lake, Pondlily Lake, Vanluven Lake, Odessa Lake, Verona, Verona Lake, Hambly Lake, Howes Lake, Harrowsmith, Little Mud Lake, Fourteen Island Lake, Thirteen Island Lake and Knowlton Lake.
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”
Meanwhile, Environment Canada is tracking possible tornado activity to both the east and west of the Kingston region. Currently, Instant Weather is reporting tornado potential for the Kingston, Napanee, and Frontenac County areas.
Kingstonist will continue to monitor this weather activity and provide updates as necessary.
Original article:
As meteorologists have been tracking storm cells over the past week, all signs have pointed to Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022, being a day of heavy thunderstorm and high wind activity.
Kingston, Napanee, Frontenac County, Lennox and Addington County, Gananoque, and Loyalist Township are all scheduled for intense weather activity, according to Environment Canada.
At 11:26 a.m., Environment Canada issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for the Kingston—Prince Edward area, noting that “conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and large hail.” The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect for the Kingston, Odessa, Frontenac Islands, Napanee, Consecon, Picton, and Sandbanks Park areas.
According to Environment Canada, the weather activity could bring hazardous wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h, and/or nickel-to-ping-pong-ball-sized hail. The activity is forecast to begin this afternoon and run into the early evening.
“Thunderstorms are expected to develop early this afternoon with the potential for quick intensification as they progress eastward. While a tornado or two cannot be completely ruled out, damaging winds and hail will be the primary threats,” Environment Canada said.
“Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Lightning kills and injures Canadians every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors!”
Meanwhile, to the north of those areas, a Tornado Watch is in effect for the Stirling—Tweed—South Frontenac areas.
“Conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms which may produce tornadoes. Strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible,” Environment Canada said in the Tornado Watch, issued at 11:25 a.m. on Thursday, Jun. 16, 2022.
That watch is in effect more specifically for the Stirling, Tweed, Madoc, Tamworth, Sydenham, and South Frontenac areas. Environment Canada specified that “a tornado or two” are possible, as are wind gusts of to 110 km/h, and/or nickel-to-ping-pong-ball-sized hail. The activity is forecast to begin this afternoon and run into the early evening.
“Thunderstorms are expected to develop early this afternoon with the potential for quick intensification as they progress eastward. A tornado or two will be possible this afternoon before the threat transitions to primarily wind,” Environment Canada said.
“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.”
Tornado Watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes, the national weather agency detailed.
“In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, it is recommended you take the following actions: Go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell, or interior closet. Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelter, and move to a strong building if you can. As a last resort, lie in a low spot and protect your head from flying debris.”
A Tornado Watch has also been issued for the Brockville—Leeds and Grenville areas, with a forecast almost identical to the one above for Stirling—Tweed—South Frontenac. That full Tornado Watch can be read here.