Tornado warning continues in parts of GTA

The Canadian National Exhibition shut down early Wednesday night after severe weather warnings were issued by Environment Canada.

By 9 p.m., the rides on the midway had stopped operating and entrances to the sprawling site were closed. The Ex is typically open to about 11 p.m.

Some patrons left the fairgrounds as rain started to fall and lightning lit up the sky while others remained inside the buildings.

A tornado warning has been issued for Peel and Halton regions. A tornado watch remains in effect in Toronto, and York and Durham regions.

The storm is tied to a cold front that was hanging over the Wisconsin area around noon, said Geoff Coulson, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

“As the cold front moves eastward, it will eventually sweep through the Toronto area,” he said.

Some of these storms were expected to be severe — with large hail, damaging winds, lightning and downpours.

Goderich was hit by an F-3 tornado Sunday evening, killing one man and causing widespread damage.

Environment Canada gave the town a 12-minute warning before the tornado hit.

Severe thunderstorm warnings are typically issued 45 to 90 minutes before it hits, Coulson said. But tornadoes are harder to detect, so alerts tend to be about 10 to 20 minutes before it touches down, he added.