DISTRICT –Environment Canada says this morning, Friday, August 5 conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms that may be capable of producing strong wind gusts and heavy rain. A cold front is expected to sweep across the region today. A few thunderstorms will develop along the cold front and some of the thunderstorms have the potential of becoming severe. ### Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds, torrential rainfall. Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to storm.ontario@ec.gc.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm. For more information: http://www.emergencymanagementontario.ca/english/beprepared/beprepared.html.