The information you're going to need for the severe storms hitting Ontario and Quebec.

Heavy rain, dark clouds push into southern Ontario

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Cheryl Santa Maria

Digital Reporter

Friday, September 5, 2014, 4:00 PM -

Heat and humidity combined with a cold front caused severe thunderstorms to fire up across a wide swath of southern Ontario and parts of northern Ontario Friday.

Severe thunderstorm watches and warnings -- as well as heat warnings --were put in place by Environment Canada.

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"Meteorologists are tracking a cluster of severe thunderstorms capable of producing very strong wind gusts, dime to nickel size hail and heavy rain," the weather agency says in a Friday afternoon statement.

"Take cover immediately, if threatening weather approaches. Remember, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes. In Canada, lightning kills up to 10 people every year. Remember, when thunder roars, go indoors."

The storms have produced hail and outages in several communities. According to Hydro One more than 50,000 people were without power as the storms roared through Friday night, with the highest concentration of affected customers in the Barrie area.









"Saturday may be a good day to sleep in," says Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham.

"We're expecting the storms to continue firing up into Saturday morning."

Gusty winds have accompanied the storm in many places, along with localized flooding.

"On the other side of the border in Michigan, we've seen wind gusts of 110 km/h," Dr. Gillham says. Some places could see between 25-50 mm of rain fall in an hour, although downpours of that nature will be localized.

By 8:15 p.m. Friday, Brantford had seen 971 strikes, the highest concentration in the area.

The unofficial daily high recorded at Toronto Pearson International Airport on Friday was 31.4C -- just shy of 31.7C, the all-time daily record set back in 1945.

Cooler temperatures and cloudy skies are expected in the region Saturday.

TRAGEDY IN WATERLOO, ONTARIO

A first year University of Waterloo student is dead after being struck by lightning on campus Friday morning.

In a press release published on the University's website, officials said the incident took place on a pathway leading to the area of residences on campus known as Student Village 1 at around 9 a.m.

The victim, whose name has not been released, was taken to hospital where she later died.

The University of Waterloo is cautioning students to stay away from open fields and trees until the storm passes.

The Weather Network will be providing on-the-ground coverage and updates on TV. Be sure to check back for updates on this developing story.