Weather in Ottawa: Severe thunderstorms move across eastern Ontario.

A severe thunderstorm warning was briefly in effect for Ottawa on Wednesday evening, hours after a line of storms moved through the Ottawa Valley, prompting brief tornado warnings.

The severe thunderstorm warning for Ottawa was issued at 6:54 p.m., with Environment Canada saying meteorologists were monitoring a severe thunderstorm capable of producing very strong winds and nickel-sized hail. The warning ended just before 7:30 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect for the Petawawa, Pembroke and Cobden areas as of 7:30 p.m.

Earlier in the afternoon, tornado warnings were issued for River, Whitney and eastern Algonquin Park and briefly for Barry’s Bay and Killaloe, but were later downgraded.

Storm warnings have now ended in eastern Ontario, but severe thunderstorm warnings remained in effect until 8:50 p.m.

A storm that swept through Ottawa on Tuesday brought 17.4mm of rain to the capital.

Hottest day of the year in Ottawa

The temperature in Ottawa reached 30 degrees at 3 p.m., the highest temperature recorded so far in 2024. The record for the warmest May 22 is 31.1 degrees, set in 1977.

In 2023, Ottawa experienced two days with temperatures above 30°C in May: 30.4°C on May 28 and 32.5°C on May 31.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Ottawa on Wednesday afternoon. According to the organization, conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms. These can bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and hailstones up to a tonne in size.

“Thunderstorms will develop along a cold front moving across the province this afternoon and evening,” the weather bureau said in a statement.

The severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for all of eastern Ontario and the Ottawa Valley, from Belleville and Kingston to Cornwall, Pembroke and Petawawa.

The forecast is for partly cloudy tonight with a 40 percent chance of showers and a chance of thunderstorms. Minimum temperature 17 C.

Thursday sunny. High 26 C.

Friday will be sunny. High 28 C.

The outlook for Saturday is increasing cloud. High 23 C.

A mix of sun and clouds on Sunday with a 30 percent chance of showers. High 21 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are between 21°C and 10°C.