tornado

Environment Canada has downgraded an early morning tornado threat, but a severe thunderstorm warning remains in effect for parts of northwestern Ontario.

As of 3:58 a.m. CDT Wednesday, meteorologists say a line of thunderstorms stretching from north of Redditt toward Minnesota is moving northeast at about 45 kilometres an hour.

The storm is capable of producing strong wind gusts up to 90 km/h, hail up to 2.5 centimetres, and heavy rainfall between 15 and 50 millimetres.

Communities in the storm’s path include Keewatin, Redditt, and Kenora, according to Environment Canada’s weather information map.

Environment Canada warns conditions remain hazardous and is urging people to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches, especially to avoid injury from flying debris or hail.

In the Thunder Bay area, dense fog near Lake Superior is causing near-zero visibility, with hazardous travel expected until conditions improve later this morning.

Emergency Management Ontario is echoing that advice, reminding residents that severe thunderstorms can develop quickly and produce damaging conditions with little warning.