Heavy Rain, Thunderstorms Lash Ontario and Quebec, Causing Localized Damage

Heavy rain and thunderstorms swept across parts of Ontario and Quebec this week, bringing significant rainfall totals, strong winds and localized damage.

In Ontario, a moisture-laden low-pressure system moved through southern portions of the province between the evening of June 17 and the morning of June 18, producing heavy rain and thunderstorms. Strong wind gusts also affected parts of southwestern Ontario, with minor damage reported in Windsor and Chatham.

The highest reported rainfall amounts included 55.6 millimetres in Acton, 51.3 millimetres in North Guelph and 50.3 millimetres in Mississauga. Other communities receiving more than 40 millimetres of rain included Wasaga Beach, Mount Forest, North York, Vaughan, Whitby, Pickering and Flesherton.

Several monitoring stations operated by the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority recorded even higher totals, including 58.4 millimetres at both Heart Lake and Morningside Works Yard. Dufferin Reservoir received 54.7 millimetres, while Westmount Park Pool recorded 52.8 millimetres.

Strong winds accompanied the storms in southwestern Ontario, with maximum gusts reaching 83 kilometres per hour in Windsor and 78 kilometres per hour in Chatham.

Meanwhile, in Quebec, the storm system accompanied by thunderstorms brought heavy rainfall to several regions of southern and central parts of the province and continued moving eastward on Friday.

A severe thunderstorm uprooted several trees in the Township of Gore, resulting in power outages and road obstructions.

Rainfall totals ranged from 30 to 50 millimetres across the Montreal, Montérégie and Lanaudière regions. Higher amounts were recorded elsewhere, including 40 to 75 millimetres in the Quebec City area and between 50 and 100 millimetres in Charlevoix.

Other regions receiving substantial rainfall included the Eastern Townships, Mauricie, Beauce, Montmagny and Bas-Saint-Laurent.

Based on ECCC Data