Strong winds and hail possible as severe thunderstorm watch issued for Hamilton

Thunderstorm season has arrived, Hamilton.

Environment Canada issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the city Wednesday morning, warning of conditions that could see strong wind gusts and large hail pelt Steeltown.

Ping-pong sized hail and winds gusting up to 90 kilometres per hour are possible throughout the day and into the afternoon, warned the national weather service.

Thunderstorms are developing over Michigan and are expected to track eastward into Ontario late this morning or this afternoon," read the watch notice. As the Great Lakes are very cold, at this time there is a great deal of uncertainty as to how strong these thunderstorms will be."

The storm system is expected to move east of the region early this evening, according to the weather agency.

Residents are warned to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches.

Hail can damage property and injure people, while strong winds can fling around loose objects, damage buildings, break branches off trees as well as topple over large vehicles.

For the most up-to-date weather information, go to weather.gc.ca.

Fallon Hewitt is a reporter at The Spectator. fhewitt@thespec.com