A severe thunderstorm is rolling through Hamilton Wednesday morning, says Environment Canada.
Dark clouds rolled through downtown late morning and a heavy downpour of rain began quickly, shortly before 11 a.m.
“Meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong wind gusts, up to nickel size hail and heavy rain,” the weather agency said in a statement.
Torrential downpour could dump as much as 50 mm of rain on the city in an hour, Environment Canada says. Wind gusts may be up to 90 km/h.
The severe thunderstorm warning came into effect around 10:45 a.m., upgraded from a watch earlier in the morning. The agency says the risk of thunderstorms continues into the early evening.
Brantford, St. Catharines, Niagara Falls and Burlington are under a severe thunderstorm watch.
Environment Canada advises people to stay indoors.
It warns the heavy downpour may cause flash floods and water pooling on roads.
Large hail could damage property and cause injury, it says.
Strong gusts of wind may toss objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.