Heavy rain heading for northwestern Ontario, Environment Canada says

Environment Canada is issuinga special weather statement for parts of northwestern Ontario because of significant rainfall expected to begin Friday night.

A low pressure system from the upper plains states could bring heavy rain to Red Lake, Sioux Lookout, Kenora, Dryden and Pickle Lake through the weekend, saysmeteorologist Geoff Coulson.

Rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 millimetresare possible by Sunday morningand that's a problem because of the area's delayed spring, he said.

"This is certainly a good soaking rainfall, complicated by the fact the ground in the area is still frozen and unable to really accept a lot in the way of moisture," Coulson said.

Whenthe ground is unable to absorb rain, it can lead to flooding, he said.

"The folks in the weather centre will be liaising with provincial authorities responsible for issuing flood watches and flood warnings, if they feel this situation could lead to those types of concern," he added.

As colder air moves into the region Sunday, the rain is forecast to change to snow, ice pellets or freezing rain, especially in the Pickle Lake area, said Coulson.

Milder temperatures on their way

But he said a warming trend is on its way for northwestern Ontario.

"We are seeing a break in this pattern that we've had over the last little while of colder than normal conditions," Coulson said. "Andlooking further ahead temperatures are expected to be around seasonal values, or even a little warmer than seasonal to finish off the month of April."

Normal conditions for the region are daytime highs of around 10 C. Instead, the forecast is fortemperatures of between 15-17 C.