Rainfall warning issued for Ottawa, with 30-50 mm of rain expected tonight and Thursday

The Rideau Canal in Ottawa on Tuesday, April 28. (Andrew Adlington/CTV News Ottawa)

It will be a wet end to April in Ottawa, with 30 to 50 millimetres of rain expected over the next two days.

Environment Canada has issued a yellow warning – rainfall for Ottawa and eastern Ontario, calling for heavy rain starting this afternoon and continuing until Thursday.

“A low-pressure system will bring heavy, widespread rain beginning late this afternoon,” Environment Canada said in a statement.

“Water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas.”

The forecast calls for 5 mm of rain today, and another 30 to 40 mm of rain overnight and Thursday morning. Rain is expected to begin around 4 p.m.

The record for greatest rainfall in Ottawa on April 29 is 18.2 mm set in 2025, while the record for April 30 is 43.7 mm set in 1907.

• Hourly and 7-day forecast on our CTVNewsOttawa.ca weather hub

Environment Canada is calling for a cloudy start to today with a 40 per cent chance of showers late this morning and this afternoon. Rain at times heavy beginning this afternoon. High 16 C.

Rain at times heavy continuing tonight. Low 6 C.

Rain will end Thursday morning and then cloudy with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 8 C.

Friday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 9 C.

The outlook for Saturday calls for a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 10 C.

Sunday will see a mix of sun and cloud with a 30 per cent chance of showers. High 10 C.

The normal temperatures for this time of year are a high of 16 C and a low of 5 C.

Rainy April

The heavy rain over the next two days comes at the end of a wet April in Ottawa.

A total of 90.7 mm of rain and 0.6 cm of snow has been recorded at the Ottawa Airport so far this month.

Ottawa has only received a trace of rain over the past 10 days, according to Environment Canada.

The Ottawa Fire Services issued an open-air fire ban on Tuesday due to the dry conditions and a recent series of grass fires.

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