PHOTOS: Boisterous severe storms pelt southern Ontario with hail, winds
The spell of heat and humidity that greeted the start of meteorological summer in Ontario came to its inevitable conclusion on Friday as strong to severe thunderstorms swept through the region.
One vigorous storm aimed right for Toronto proper, leaving commuters dodging small hail and strong wind gusts throughout the city.
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A ridge of high pressure that fostered days of 30-degree temperatures and sultry humidity started to break down as the week drew to a close. An advancing cold front provided the lift and trigger needed for thunderstorms to flourish in the unstable air parked over the region.
The potent pop-up storms that rolled through the Greater Toronto Area weren’t alone. Folks across eastern Ontario and parts of southern Quebec also dealt with numerous strong to severe thunderstorms on Friday afternoon and evening.
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A much nicer pattern will settle across Ontario as we move into the first weekend of June, with abundant sunshine and cooler temperatures bathing the region.
Check out some of the storms that rolled through parts of southern Ontario on Friday, below.
rain ⛈️ after two days of heat #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/FO1E7mVKc8
rain ⛈️ after two days of heat 🧝🏻♀️ on Twitter: "rain ⛈️ after two days of heat #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/FO1E7mVKc8 / Twitter" 🧝🏻♀️ on Twitter: "rain ⛈️ after two days of heat #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/FO1E7mVKc8 / Twitter" 🧝🏻♀️ on Twitter: "rain ⛈️ after two days of heat #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/FO1E7mVKc8 / Twitter"
— 🧝🏻♀️ (@DXEFNE) 🧝🏻♀️ on Twitter: "rain ⛈️ after two days of heat #onstorm #toronto pic.twitter.com/FO1E7mVKc8 / Twitter"
Hail here in East York a few minutes ago. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/qvqScjqLe8
Hail here in East York a few minutes ago. George Kourounis on Twitter: "Hail here in East York a few minutes ago. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/qvqScjqLe8 / Twitter" George Kourounis on Twitter: "Hail here in East York a few minutes ago. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/qvqScjqLe8 / Twitter"
— George Kourounis (@georgekourounis) George Kourounis on Twitter: "Hail here in East York a few minutes ago. #onstorm pic.twitter.com/qvqScjqLe8 / Twitter"
Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I'm so very pleased. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/CJbajD0oe9
Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I’m so very pleased. Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I'm so very pleased. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/CJbajD0oe9 / Twitter" Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I'm so very pleased. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/CJbajD0oe9 / Twitter" Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I'm so very pleased. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/CJbajD0oe9 / Twitter"
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Was so not expecting this! Thunderstorm moving SW past Drumbo. I'm so very pleased. @weathernetwork #onstorm pic.twitter.com/CJbajD0oe9 / Twitter"
Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ
Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ / Twitter"
— Chris Knox Photography (@ChrisKnoxPhotog) Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Roads are blocked in Cramahe Township. #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather pic.twitter.com/9azhgAB8XZ / Twitter"
onstorm @markrobinsonNC a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough pic.twitter.com/kFHDEPEK51
Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "#onstorm @markrobinsonNC a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough pic.twitter.com/kFHDEPEK51 / Twitter" Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "#onstorm @markrobinsonNC a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough pic.twitter.com/kFHDEPEK51 / Twitter" a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "#onstorm @markrobinsonNC a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough pic.twitter.com/kFHDEPEK51 / Twitter"
— Mariana Hernandez (@Mariana_ArtsTO) Mariana Hernandez on Twitter: "#onstorm @markrobinsonNC a hail system is hitting Toronto in 20 min (the footage is from Scarborough pic.twitter.com/kFHDEPEK51 / Twitter"
Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! #onstorm #Oakville pic.twitter.com/jXBYbRzSTl
Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! Julia Hanna on Twitter: "Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! #onstorm #Oakville pic.twitter.com/jXBYbRzSTl / Twitter" Julia Hanna on Twitter: "Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! #onstorm #Oakville pic.twitter.com/jXBYbRzSTl / Twitter" Julia Hanna on Twitter: "Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! #onstorm #Oakville pic.twitter.com/jXBYbRzSTl / Twitter"
— Julia Hanna (@JuliaHannaOak) Julia Hanna on Twitter: "Golf ball sized hail near our Ritorno restaurant in Oakville just now! #onstorm #Oakville pic.twitter.com/jXBYbRzSTl / Twitter"
Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ
Beautiful storm over downtown. I’m in Milton. Gorgeous Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter" Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter"
— Crosswind Studios (@flycrosswind) Crosswind Studios on Twitter: "Beautiful storm over downtown. I'm in Milton. Gorgeous @StormhunterTWN @KMacTWN @MurphTWN @RachelSchoutsen @ECCCWeatherON #onstorm @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/g3tAXWYGrJ / Twitter"
Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS
Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down.
Cramahe Township, Ontario Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter" Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter"— Chris Knox Photography (@ChrisKnoxPhotog) Chris Knox Photography on Twitter: "Lots of hail and winds. Some trees down. Cramahe Township, Ontario #onstorm #onwx #shareyourweather @weatherchannel @ECCCWeatherON pic.twitter.com/C7S7q7XFzS / Twitter"
onstorm heard the rumbles and looked outside to see this ... our shed was blown from the back of the yard, ripped a hole in the umbrella and branches have snapped. pic.twitter.com/Y1tAEo3wb6
Quathar Jacobs on Twitter: "#onstorm heard the rumbles and looked outside to see this ... our shed was blown from the back of the yard, ripped a hole in the umbrella and branches have snapped. pic.twitter.com/Y1tAEo3wb6 / Twitter" heard the rumbles and looked outside to see this ... our shed was blown from the back of the yard, ripped a hole in the umbrella and branches have snapped. Quathar Jacobs on Twitter: "#onstorm heard the rumbles and looked outside to see this ... our shed was blown from the back of the yard, ripped a hole in the umbrella and branches have snapped. pic.twitter.com/Y1tAEo3wb6 / Twitter"
— Quathar Jacobs (@Quathar) Quathar Jacobs on Twitter: "#onstorm heard the rumbles and looked outside to see this ... our shed was blown from the back of the yard, ripped a hole in the umbrella and branches have snapped. pic.twitter.com/Y1tAEo3wb6 / Twitter"
Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1
Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power…eta with hydro 4 hours. EMO on Twitter: "Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1 / Twitter" EMO on Twitter: "Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1 / Twitter" EMO on Twitter: "Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1 / Twitter" EMO on Twitter: "Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1 / Twitter"
— EMO (@emolovesmusic) EMO on Twitter: "Hail and intense lightning, thunder and winds. Just lost power...eta with hydro 4 hours. #hastings #onstorm #trenthills pic.twitter.com/FDmDnxgIR1 / Twitter"
Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through #Scarborough #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fLOjdtbWtb
Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through Storm Chaser Joey on Twitter: "Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through #Scarborough #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fLOjdtbWtb / Twitter" Storm Chaser Joey on Twitter: "Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through #Scarborough #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fLOjdtbWtb / Twitter" Storm Chaser Joey on Twitter: "Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through #Scarborough #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fLOjdtbWtb / Twitter"
— Storm Chaser Joey (@StormChaserJoey) Storm Chaser Joey on Twitter: "Non-Severe Thunderstorm as it passed through #Scarborough #onstorm pic.twitter.com/fLOjdtbWtb / Twitter"
Wow! That's the Oakville storm. @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/BcJdmjPFf0
Wow! That’s the Oakville storm. Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Wow! That's the Oakville storm. @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/BcJdmjPFf0 / Twitter" Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Wow! That's the Oakville storm. @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/BcJdmjPFf0 / Twitter"
— Mark Robinson (@StormhunterTWN) Mark Robinson on Twitter: "Wow! That's the Oakville storm. @weathernetwork pic.twitter.com/BcJdmjPFf0 / Twitter"