Atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall, Environment Canada warns.
In addition, severe thunderstorm warnings are in place for a few other regions of the province, including the Bécancour-Villeroy area, Coaticook, La Tuque, the Lotbinière and Portneuf areas as well as the Thetford Mines and Victoriaville areas.
A warning denotes a higher alert than a watch.
Severe thunderstorm watches are issued when atmospheric conditions are favourable for the development of thunderstorms that could produce one or more of the following: large hail, damaging winds and torrential rainfall, Environment Canada says.
Large hail can damage property and cause injury, the agency says, and strong wind gusts can damage buildings, down trees and even blow large vehicles off the road. As well, severe thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.
Violent and sudden gusts of wind over bodies of water can make water-related activities unsafe, the agency says and people should go indoors when they hear thunder; lightning kills and injures Canadians every year.