Significant rainfall expected in Hamilton, Halton, Niagara

Environment Canada is warning residents in the Golden Horseshoe Area to be cautious as freezing rain is expected Tuesday.

The weather agency says there will be periods of heavy rainfall that could bring up to 25 mm of rain in Hamilton and Halton Region and up to 30 mm in Niagara.

With the recent cold temperatures, the frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb the rainfall. This could cause ice to build up due to the freezing rain.

The rainfall is expected late Tuesday morning and will continue into the evening.

A special weather statement – which is the least urgent type of alert from Environment Canada – has been issued for Hamilton and Halton Region to let people know that conditions are unusual and could cause concern.

A rainfall warning is in effect for Niagara Falls, Welland, St. Catharines and Grimsby. Warnings are considered an urgent message that severe weather is either occurring or will occur.