Tornado warning tracked southwest of Ottawa amid thunderstorms

Environment Canada was tracking a severe thunderstorm southwest of Ottawa that was "possibly producing a tornado," according to Environment Canada. As of 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, it was downgraded to a severe thunderstorm watch.

Environment Canada has also issued severe thunderstorm watchesthat cover all of eastern Ontario and western Quebec.

Storms have been scattered across the region Wednesday afternoon, causing tornado warnings around Hawkesbury and Bancroft.

Severe thunderstorm watches generally surround Ottawa-Gatineau, extending to the east and southwest. A severe thunderstorm warning is still in place, as of 8:21 p.m. on Wednesday, southeast of Ottawa.

The storms mightproduce strong wind gusts, large hail and up to 50 millimetres of rain falling within an hour, Environment Canada says.

People are being reminded of the dangers of weather like this and they are asked totake coverif threatening weather approaches.

When a tornado forms,people are advisedto stayaway from exterior walls and windows, ideally going to a basement or the ground floor. They should alsoget out of vehicles.

A tornado watch is issued when there's a storm approaching with conditions that could produce a tornado. A warning goes out either when atornado sighting has been reportedor when there's sufficient evidence to suggest a tornado is on the way.

Severe thunderstorm watchesare issued when conditions are likely to produce large hail, damaging winds or torrential rainfall. They are upgraded to warningswhen one of those weather elements becomes more certain.