Parts of Ontario are set to see heavy rain Friday as thunderstorms move in, a federal agency is warning, as days of humid heat threaten to burst — briefly.
Toronto, along with large swathes of southern and southwestern Ontario, is under a special weather statement warning of heavy rain and slow-moving thunderstorms.
As of 12: p.m. Friday, the Chatham-Kent area had a rainfall warning in place, a higher threat than a weather statement.
In cautions issued on Friday morning, Environment Canada said Toronto and southern Ontario could expect “torrential downpours” to drop between 30 and 60 mm of water on the city into the evening.
Thunderstorms are expected to come with the heavy rain, which would be just the latest deluge to be dumped on Ontario, with Toronto seeing historic flooding in recent weeks.
The Don Valley Parkway and Lake Shore Boulevard both saw lanes closed on two separate days in July due to flash flooding, while the Toronto subway was forced to shut stations.
The first of two heavy downpours in Toronto came on July 16, and was recorded as the fifth-highest rainfall on record at Toronto Pearson International Airport. It led to an estimated $1 billion in damage and left thousands without power.
On Friday, Environment Canada again warned that heavy rain can cause flash flooding and road closures.
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Despite the potential for heavy rain, days of sticky, hot and humid weather in Toronto are not yet set to end.
Global News’ chief meteorologist Anthony Farnell said that, while late July and early August are typically among the hottest times in Toronto, the consecutive days of high humidity are biting.
“This hasn’t even come close to breaking any records but it’s the humidity that is starting to get to us,” he said.
“When you factor that mugginess in, the humidex has been in the upper 30s most of the week and it will continue to feel like you’re stepping outside into the tropics through the upcoming weekend.”
Environment Canada said a “cooler” air mass should arrive overnight between Thursday and Friday. After the rain falls, the heat and humidity will likely return.
Ross Hull, Global News meteorologist, said temperatures on Friday fell below the heat warning criteria set out by Environment Canada but that higher temperatures continue in eastern and northern Ontario.
“As for the rest of the long weekend, Saturday will warm back up for many parts of southern Ontario with daytime highs returning to the low 30s but with the humidity, it will feel closer to the high 30s,” Hull said.
Sunday will be slightly cooler but still humid. A cold front will move through the area on Sunday night into Monday morning and that front will drop humidity values to more comfortable levels.”
Farnell agreed, suggesting that next week will feel much less hot.
“There will be some slight relief in the days ahead thanks to extra cloud cover but a meaningful change in the weather pattern won’t occur until next week,” he said.
“A cold front will likely spark thunderstorms on Sunday night and more rain is expected on Tuesday. Temperatures will actually be below seasonal all week with highs in the mid-20s with much lower humidity levels.”