Thursday rain, highways backed up, Marlies in the hunt tonight

Morning, it's 15°C and light rain—grab an umbrella if you're heading out. There's a special weather statement in effect, so keep an eye on things as the day goes; the UV's sitting at 6 (high), so when the rain clears, you'll want sunscreen if you're outside for any stretch. Sun doesn't set until 9:02 tonight, so there's plenty of daylight left.

Commute's a bit of a mess this morning. The Gardiner's got a closure at Islington Ave, and the 401's getting hammered—collision on the westbound side at Dixon Rd/Martin Grove with two right lanes blocked, another collision eastbound express at Yonge taking out two right lanes again, and the 427 southbound at Finch is down a right lane too. If you're heading that way, budget extra time and consider an alternate route if you can.

On the local radar: the Ontario Line stations are really taking shape underground now—worth paying attention to as the project keeps moving. Also, Bonnie Crombie's in the mix for a Mississauga mayoral comeback, which is a bigger GTA story if you follow regional politics. And in lighter news, Ghana just pulled off a stunning stoppage-time winner against Panama at Toronto stadium yesterday—if you caught that, you know the energy was there.

Food-wise, there's new stuff opening around town. Mapo Korean BBQ just opened a second spot at Church and Wellesley if you're craving that, and if sandwiches are more your speed, Dacasto's La Baciata just landed on Yonge. There are also six covered patios worth hitting this summer even in the rain—useful to know for a day like today.

Tonight's the Marlies in AHL Playoffs Round 5, Game 2, down at Coca-Cola Coliseum at 7:00 PM—they're fighting hard to keep their run alive. If you're not heading to that, there's live music around (Bailey Zimmerman's at the RBC Amphitheatre, Prewn at Monarch Tavern), plus the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre is screening KOKUHO as part of the Toronto Japanese Film Festival at 7:00 PM.

If you're free this afternoon and into the FIFA buzz, the Fan Festival at Fort York and the Bentway kicks off at 1:30 PM and runs through the weekend—Germany vs Ivory Coast is Saturday, so the energy's building.

Stay dry out there, watch the roads, and catch you soon.