As Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) brace for another round of severe weather, Environment Canada has issued a continued rainfall warning for the region. The forecast predicts that the city could experience an additional 20 to 40 millimeters of rain throughout the day. This comes on the heels of a massive deluge that hit the area just a day prior, with some regions receiving up to 100 millimeters of rain.
The rainfall warning extends across multiple areas including Toronto, Mississauga, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Oshawa, Brampton, and other southern Ontario communities. Environment Canada has cautioned that the ground, already heavily saturated from previous storms, is struggling to absorb more water, which could lead to further flooding issues.
On Saturday, the severe thunderstorms that swept through the GTA resulted in widespread flooding and power outages. The storms not only inundated streets but also caused a tornado to touch down near Ayr, about 30 kilometers south of Kitchener. The tornado struck around 11 a.m. and, coupled with the intense rain, led to significant disruptions. The King’s Plate horse races at Woodbine Racetrack in Etobicoke were canceled due to the adverse weather conditions.
Flooding has caused numerous road closures and transit detours, particularly affecting Mississauga, Etobicoke, and North York. Emergency services have been busy rescuing individuals trapped in vehicles and helping pedestrians stranded by rising waters. The Rathwood neighborhood in Mississauga reported a staggering 68 millimeters of rain in just one hour, exacerbating the risk for those near fast-moving bodies of water like Little Etobicoke Creek.
Power outages impacted thousands in the northwestern parts of the GTA, including Richmond Hill and Markham. Toronto Hydro and Alectra are working to restore power as quickly as possible. Meanwhile, flash floods and water pooling on roads have been reported, echoing the disruptions from a major rainstorm on July 16.
For the remainder of the day, Toronto residents can expect a mix of sunny spells and heavy downpours, with thunderstorms likely to diminish to isolated showers by the evening. The weather will continue to be unsettled with a high of 25°C and a humidex value reaching 33. Winds are forecasted to gust between 30 to 50 kilometers per hour.
Looking ahead to Monday, the rainfall is expected to taper off, giving way to cloudy skies and a mix of sun and clouds in the afternoon. Temperatures will range from a high of 21°C to a low of 13°C. The weather should clear up by Tuesday, with sunny skies and temperatures reaching up to 23°C.
As Toronto navigates through this challenging weather event, residents are advised to stay updated with local forecasts and heed any warnings or advisories from Environment Canada.
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