Severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect in Montreal

Storm clouds move across the sky as Environment Canada issued tornado warnings Thursday, July 13, 2023, in Montreal. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)

Much of the Greater Montreal Area is currently under a yellow alert for a severe thunderstorm watch.

Environment Canada issued the weather alert for Tuesday afternoon and evening, stating “conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing strong wind gusts and heavy rain.”

The weather agency said the forecast confidence is high and the impact level is expected to be moderate.

It also warned that severe thunderstorms may produce tornadoes.

“Nautical activities may be hazardous due to sudden, severe wind gusts over bodies of water,” said Environment Canada.

“Damage to roofs, fences, branches or soft shelters is possible.”

Heavy rain can cause flash flooding and significant reductions in visibility, the agency warned.

Environment Canada had issued a red alert for a tornado warning at 5:33 p.m. in some parts of the Laurentians, including areas from Harrington up to Mont-Tremblant and Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, Que.

That alert ended at 6:10 p.m.

The weather alert system used on the federal agency’s digital platforms uses three colours to indicate the level of risk: yellow (lowest), orange (moderate), and red (highest).