Thunderstorms, rain looming for Toronto as heat warnings hit southern Ontario
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority says there's a higher potential for flooding in its river systems. It also warned that its watersheds are already saturated.
Toronto is bracing for showers and thunderstorms as heat warnings continue to impact southern Ontario. Environment Canada has issued a yellow heat warning for several regions, including Niagara Falls, with temperatures reaching between 30 and 32 degrees Celsius. The humidity will make it feel closer to 40 degrees. The heat event may persist into Thursday for Windsor and Essex County, though confidence in this forecast is low.
Niagara is expected to see a 60 percent chance of showers and a potential for thunderstorms, with gusts up to 40 kilometers per hour in the afternoon. Rainfall is anticipated to begin in the evening and continue until midnight, with Toronto potentially receiving 20 to 30 millimeters of rain by the afternoon. A first wave of thunderstorms hit the area in the morning, but a second wave is expected in the evening, adding another 15 to 25 millimeters of rain.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) has warned of a higher risk of flooding in its river systems. The watershed has already received between eight and 55 millimeters of rain on Monday, leaving the ground saturated and reducing its capacity to absorb additional rainfall. The TRCA cautioned that heavy rain from thunderstorms could lead to flooding in flood plains and low-lying areas that are not well-drained, particularly if a significant amount of precipitation falls.
The weather system is expected to move over the region early Thursday morning, after which a mix of sun and clouds is forecast for several days in Toronto.
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