A summer storm making its way through the region could produce tornadoes.
Environment Canada issued Tornado Watches for much of the region on Sunday evening, including the Kenora, Dryden, and Fort Frances areas.
Strong winds, large hail and heavy rain are also possible.
“This is a dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation,” said the forecaster in the weather alert. “Be prepared for severe weather. Take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.”
In the event of a tornado, or if a tornado warning is issued for your area, Environment Canada is recommending that you go indoors to a room on the lowest floor, away from outside walls and windows, such as a basement, bathroom, stairwell or interior closet.
Leave mobile homes, vehicles, tents, trailers and other temporary or free-standing shelters, and move to a strong building if you can.
The watches are in place through Sunday evening.
The forecaster also issued Severe Thunderstorm and Rainfall warnings for Dryden, Vermillion Bay, Ignace, and English River.
A thunderstorm capable of producing golf ball-size hail and heavy rain is expected to move through the area Sunday evening into Monday.
Environment Canada says some areas could receive 50 to 100 millimetres of rain.
Severe Thunderstorm Warnings were also issued for the Fort Frances are Rainy River areas just after 11:00 p.m. on Sunday.
Further east, thunderstorm watches were put in place for Thunder Bay and Nipigon just before midnight.
Emergency Management Ontario recommends that you take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.
Severe thunderstorm warnings are issued when imminent or occurring thunderstorms are expected to produce damaging hail, wind or rain.
Tornado watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce tornadoes.
