Environment Canada has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Orangeville and southern Dufferin County for Tuesday, May 19, 2026, warning residents of potential wind gusts of 90 to 110 km/h, large hail, and the possibility of tornadoes throughout the afternoon and evening.
The weather agency reports that conditions are favourable for the development of severe storms today as temperatures reach a high of 28°C. Local officials, including Emergency Management Ontario, advise residents to take cover immediately if threatening weather approaches. The agency reminds the public that when thunder roars, they should go indoors to stay safe from lightning.
Following the storms, a significant cooling trend is expected to move into the area. Wednesday will see mainly cloudy skies with a high of 14°C, followed by a sunny Thursday with a high of 15°C. Residents can expect temperatures to remain cooler until a gradual warming trend brings temperatures back up to 21°C by next Monday.
This alert comes as the region marks the start of the active spring weather season. The Northern Tornadoes Project recently confirmed the first tornado of 2026 in Ontario, which occurred near Granton on May 9. Given the history of severe weather in Dufferin County, including significant storm events in 1996 and 2013, officials encourage the community to stay informed of the latest updates.
Residents are encouraged to report severe weather by emailing [email protected] or using the #ONStorm hashtag on social media.
