‘Keep the umbrella nearby’: Special weather statement remains in effect as more rainfall, thunderstorms expected across the region

A special weather statement remains in effect as more thunderstorms and rainfall is expected in the London region. Here's what you should know.

Make sure to keep your umbrellas and raincoats nearby as it’ll be a volatile next couple of days as additional rainfall and thunderstorms are expected to hammer the region.

“Warm temperatures are a big part of the weather story for the next several days and because of the warmth, the moisture and instability in the atmosphere, we have a special weather statement that blankets southern Ontario proper for a significant rainfall, embedded thunderstorms, a continuation of what we were dealing with late last night and into early this morning,” explained CTV News Windsor Meteorologist Gary Archibald.

Special weather statement continues

A special weather statement issued Tuesday for the London area remains in effect, with Environment Canada warning of “additional heavy rainfall” being possible Wednesday into Thursday.

The weather authority warns that the ground, already near saturation, has a limited capacity to absorb the rainfall.

Environment Canada says rainfall amounts will be “highly variable” across the region, with anywhere from 20 to 50 millimetres of rain possible.

Atmospheric instability

In addition to the special weather statement, Archibald says the country’s warmest temperatures are currently in the lower Great Lakes region, and we’ll see more of that warm weather again tomorrow. In London, Wednesday’s daytime high will reach 18 C

“This is the stream of activity with jet stream support, moisture, coming from the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican Plateau is very warm. That warm air with jet stream push moves it in transport into the Great Lakes and with that instability, that’s why we’re seeing the showers and thunderstorms,” he explained.

Temperatures will remain warm going into the evening and overnight hours, with a low of 16 C, and showers or thunderstorms continuing, with between 10 to 20 millimetres of rainfall expected.

Rainfall and thunderstorms continue Thursday, with 5 to 10 millimetres expected, and gusty winds of up to 40 to 60 km/h expected in the morning. The daytime high will reach 21 C, feeling like 26 with the humidity.

Temperatures will drop overnight Thursday, with a low of 4 C, and a 60 per cent chance of showers.

“It’s still a very unstable next couple of days at the very least,” said Archibald. Keep the umbrella nearby and of course when it roars, stay indoors.”

Here’s a look at London’s long-range forecast

Wednesday: Showers or thunderstorms. Local amount 10 to 20 mm. Wind southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High 18. UV index 3 or moderate.

Wednesday night: Showers or thunderstorms. Local amount 10 to 20 mm. Wind becoming south 20 km/h before morning. Temperature steady near 16.

Thursday: Showers or thunderstorms. Local amount 5 to 10 mm. Wind south 20 km/h becoming southwest 40 gusting to 60 late in the morning. High 21. Humidex 26.

Friday: Sunny. High 18.

Saturday: Cloudy with 60 percent chance of showers. Windy. High 19.

Sunday: Cloudy with 30 percent chance of showers. High 7.

Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 6.

Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 14.