Ottawa under severe thunderstorm watch

Ideal conditions for severe thunderstorms, torrential downpours and hail up to the size of a toonie has prompted Environment Canada to issue a severe thunderstorm watch for the Ottawa area.

The weather agency posted the thunderstorm watch on their website around 7:30 p.m. Thursday evening.

The bulletin also alerted residents to the potential development of damaging winds and heavy thunderstorms throughout the night.

The thunderstorms are expected to last into late Friday morning