The National Weather Service issued a weather alert at 5:21 p.m. on Monday for strong thunderstorms until 5:45 p.m. for Southern Blue Mountains of Oregon, John Day Basin and Ochoco-John Day Highlands.

The storms are packing pea-sized hail (0.25 inches) and wind gusts of up to 40 mph.

"At 5:21 p.m., Doppler radar tracked a strong thunderstorm near Canyon City, or 7 miles southeast of John Day, moving north at 45 mph," comments the weather service. "Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around unsecured objects. Minor hail damage to vegetation is possible."

The alert is for John Day, Prairie City and Canyon City.

The weather service states, "If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building. Frequent cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. Lightning can s

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