Heavy Rain and thunderstorms expected Friday night/Saturday for region

Environment Canada has issued a “Special Weather Statement” for the region, as a weather system beings precipitation and possible thunderstorms to the area.

The wet weather is anticipated overnight and into Saturday.

Current weather model guidance suggests that locally significant rainfall amounts are possible. However, there remains uncertainty regarding the exact location and magnitude of the heaviest rainfall, as convective showers and thunderstorms can be highly localized.

Showers and thunderstorms associated with this system could produce locally heavy rainfall, with rainfall rates potentially high enough to cause localized flash flooding, especially in areas with slow moving showers.

Environment Canada also warns of enhanced risks of landslides in vulnerable areas, particularly those affected by recent wildfires (burn scars). The combination of heavy rainfall and potentially unstable soils could trigger landslides or debris flows, posing potential hazards to public safety, infrastructure and natural landscapes.

The anticipated high precipitation rates over a short duration could lead to water pooling in areas with poor drainage, exacerbating localized flooding concerns. Communities with historically lower drainage capacities should be particularly vigilant.