Durham Hailstorm Damage left vehicles, gardens and other property damaged across parts of Scugog and Uxbridge after powerful thunderstorms moved through the region on Saturday.
Residents in northern Durham reported hailstones around golf-ball size and, in some cases, larger as severe weather swept through communities between Port Perry and Uxbridge.
Photos and first-hand reports shared after the storm showed cracked windshields, dented vehicles and damaged gardens following the intense burst of hail.
Vehicles damaged by large hail
Some residents reported that their windshields were unable to withstand the impact.
Others described trucks and cars covered in dents after being caught outside during the storm.
In the Utica area, one resident reported damage to a truck, broken window visors and extensive losses in a garden.
Another resident near Scugog said the hail shattered a vehicle windshield.
While these reports indicate significant localized damage, official measurements of the largest hailstones were not provided in the source information.
Severe storm crossed northern Durham
The hail developed during a broader round of severe thunderstorms affecting southern Ontario on Saturday.
Storm-monitoring reports indicated that a powerful cell moved through northern Durham and neighbouring areas during the afternoon.
At one point, forecasters were closely watching a storm moving east-southeast through north Whitby toward Brooklin, Oshawa and Bowmanville because of possible rotation.
The storm was also capable of producing large hail, strong winds, heavy rainfall and frequent lightning.
Radar estimates cited in the supplied report suggested some portions of the storm had already produced nearly 38 millimetres of rainfall within an hour.
Tornado threat stayed outside Durham
Although Durham Region experienced damaging hail and intense thunderstorms, the source report says no tornado was confirmed within the region.
Two tornadoes were reported elsewhere in southern Ontario that day, including one near Woodstock and another near Lindsay in the Kawartha Lakes area.
The latter storm passed close enough to northern Durham that communities such as Scugog and Uxbridge experienced severe weather associated with the same unstable environment.
Residents in parts of Clarington and Pickering were also warned during the afternoon about storms capable of producing tornadoes, damaging winds and large hail.
Property owners assess damage
The Durham Hailstorm Damage is expected to result in insurance claims from residents whose vehicles and property were hit.
Large hail can damage vehicle glass, body panels, roofs, siding, outdoor furniture and crops or gardens.
Residents who experienced damage should photograph affected property before making temporary repairs and contact their insurer to determine what documentation is required.
Drivers with cracked or shattered windshields should avoid operating vehicles if visibility or structural safety is affected.
More unsettled weather follows
The weekend storm arrived shortly before another period of unsettled weather forecast for southern Ontario on Monday and Tuesday.
Environment Canada’s thunderstorm outlook for Aug. 10 warned that storms developing across the Greater Toronto Area could again produce wind gusts near 90 km/h, hail and locally heavy rainfall.
That means residents cleaning up from Saturday’s hail should continue monitoring weather alerts in case additional storms develop.
Residents urged to stay weather-aware
Severe thunderstorms can intensify rapidly, especially during hot and humid summer conditions.
Residents should move indoors when thunder is heard and avoid standing near windows during hail or strong winds.
Vehicles can be moved into garages or other covered areas when severe-weather warnings provide enough advance notice.
The Durham Hailstorm Damage reported across Scugog and Uxbridge demonstrates how localized summer storms can cause significant impacts even when the most extreme weather, such as a tornado, stays outside the region.
