Rainy day across northwestern Ontario breaks weather record

It's a wet and rainy day across northwestern Ontario, and also a record breaking one at that.

In Thunder Bay, Kakabeka Falls, Whitefish Lake and Arrow Lake a rainfall warning from Environment Canada was issued.

Trudy Kidd is a meteorologist at Environment Canada and said the rainfall being received today actually breaks a record set in 1975, where 25.9 mm of rain fell. She said she expects that number to rise with the amount expected throughout the day.

The agency also said strong winds are expected to reach up to 60 kilometres an hour.

"We're seeing a pretty rainy day today in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario. We're seeing intermittent showers, we've had a couple heavy bands so far and those showers are expected to continue until this evening," said Kidd.

Kidd said 50 millimetres of rain have already fallen, but today is the worst of it and there's no expectations of a rainfall event throughout the week. She does warn that the rain will continue when it gets dark and reminds people to be extra cautious. 

"When you've got the darkness and the heavy showers and the wind gusts all combined it can be pretty hard to see out there on the road," said Kidd

"So it's important to slow down, give yourself lots of space between you and the vehicle in front of you. And if you're a pedestrian out there, definitely have extra diligence when crossing the roads."

While that makes for unpleasant weather conditions, the Lakehead Region Conservation Authority is welcoming the rainy weather.

Melissa Hughson is the watershed manager for the LRCA and said they are monitoring the weather but aren't too concerned about water conditions.

"Personally, I'm just glad that we're getting precipitation… we're in a low water condition. So there's lots of people that [have] wells, they've been topping those up with water outside of the natural capacity. So this is a good thing," said Hughson

"We haven't had very much rain for the last couple of months. So there's quite a bit of capacity in the ground as well as the river systems. So we're not anticipating any riverine flooding at this point."

Hughson said they are in close contact with road crews so if there is an issue in terms of flooding they are able to get in contact with them to know what's happening in and around the area.

She said if there is a possibility of flooding to contact the LRCA, and reminds people to listen to the news, never drive through deep water and to take an alternative route if it looks too dangerous.