Ottawa could see severe thunderstorms, high winds on Tuesday afternoon

Strong winds and torrential rain is what Environment Canada is predicting for the nation’s capital on Tuesday.

The weather agency issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Ottawa on Tuesday morning, warning that conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms for the afternoon.

Thunderstorms are expected to track to eastern Ontario by the evening commute, with wind gusts up to 90 km/h, local rainfall amounts up to 50 mm and hail possible.

The primary threat with these thunderstorms is heavy rain, adding that rainfall warnings could also be issued. Heavy downpours could lead to flash floods and water pooling on roads.

Large hail can also damage property and cause injury, while strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles.

On Tuesday morning, the City of Toronto and the surrounding area was hit with major rainfall, flooding many of the roadways in the area and making the morning commute difficult.

The weather alert is in effect for a number of regions in the Ottawa Valley.