First heat, now severe thunderstorms: Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the Sudbury area, warning residents to prepare for potentially dangerous weather conditions this afternoon and evening.

Meteorologists say conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms capable of producing wind gusts up to 90 km/h, hail up to the size of a toonie, and heavy rainfall with localized totals reaching 50 mm. These storms are expected to form ahead of a cold front moving through the region.

Sudbury is already in the grips of a heat wave that began on the weekend. Now, the agency cautions that such weather could lead to utility outages, damage to roofs, fences, and trees, and flash flooding in vulnerable areas. Visibility may also be significantly reduced

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