Toronto braces for heavy rain and thunderstorms this weekend with 50mm possible

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto, warning of heavy rain over the next two days with some areas potentially seeing more than 50 millimetres of rainfall.

Two rounds of possible thunderstorms could hit Toronto on August 24. The first is expected around 8:00 a.m., with a second arriving between 3:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The heaviest rain will likely fall Saturday afternoon and evening, with conditions cooling considerably Sunday and Monday before temperatures rebound midweek.

Environment Canada notes "considerable uncertainty as to exactly which areas will receive the highest rainfall amounts." Some neighbourhoods could see as little as 5 millimetres while others, particularly in cottage country and higher elevations across southwestern Ontario, could exceed 50 millimetres.

The agency warns that hardest-hit areas risk flooding and urges residents to avoid low-lying areas and watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts. Do not drive through flooded roadways. Water may pool on roads in low-lying areas.