People rush to get into a car as heavy rain falls in Ottawa on Thursday, June 6, 2024.(The Canadian Press)
On Monday afternoon and evening, a line of severe thunderstorms swept through eastern Ontario, delivering heavy rain to Ottawa and surrounding areas. The weather took a dramatic turn as Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning, alerting residents to expect strong winds, heavy rainfall, and potential hail.
The warning highlighted that thunderstorms were moving slowly eastward across central and eastern Ontario, with the main concern being intense rainfall. Some areas could see nearly 100 millimeters of rain as the storms lingered. Additionally, wind gusts could reach up to 100 km/h, and there was a possibility of hail the size of a toonie.
On the same day, a heat warning issued over the weekend was lifted just before 7 p.m. After a hot day with temperatures peaking at 30.2°C and a humidex reading of 40, the storm brought a sudden drop in temperature of about eight degrees within just a few hours.
The severe thunderstorm warning was lifted shortly after 7:30 p.m., but a watch remained in effect until about 8:30 p.m. As a result of the storm's arrival, Ottawa can expect cooler weather, with temperatures expected to settle in the mid-20s for the week ahead.
The thunderstorms also caused power outages for many residents. Hydro Ottawa reported that over 1,200 customers lost power during the storm's peak. In the Glebe area, 631 customers were without electricity, particularly affecting neighborhoods like Pretoria, Patterson, Strathcona, and Bank. Another 635 customers in areas including First, Third, Glebe, O'Connor, and Bank also faced outages.
Fortunately, Hydro Ottawa managed to restore power to affected customers by 6:13 p.m., minimizing the disruption caused by the storm.
In response to the weather conditions, the city announced extended hours for several local parks. Parc Moussette, Parc du Lac-Beauchamp, and Parc des Cèdres will now remain open until 8 p.m., giving residents more time to enjoy the outdoors as the storm passes.
While Monday's storms brought temporary chaos, the coming days are expected to bring a welcomed relief from the heat. Residents can look forward to milder temperatures and clearer skies as Ottawa transitions from the sweltering heat to a more comfortable climate.
The quick change in weather serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of summer storms, and it highlights the importance of staying informed about local weather conditions. Residents are encouraged to keep an eye on updates from Environment Canada and local utilities to stay safe during adverse weather.
