A "dangerous thunderstorm" could hit the Ottawa-Gatineau area as early as Saturday afternoon, with the potential of "strong wind gusts, large hail and torrential rain," Environment Canada said in a weather statement.

The severe thunderstorm watch, prompted by a fast moving cold front, continues into Saturday evening from Kingston to north of Gatineau.

The weather service also warned that "intense lightning" and the possibility of tornados come with severe thunderstorms. Winds are expected to gust at up to 40 kilometres per hour this afternoon and into the evening.

"An isolated tornado is not completely out of the question," Environment Canada said.

The Pontiac region is not under a weather alert as of 2 p.m. Saturday afternoon.

The day's high is 26 C and the low is 17 C.

Sunday in the capital is expected to be mainly cloudy in the morning with winds gusting at up to 20 kilometres per hour. The skies are expected to clear in the afternoon with a high of 20 C and a low of 8 C.