Heavy rain and thunderstorms drench large stretch of Ontario, bringing flooding risk

A round of heavy spring showers and thunderstorms is set to drench a large stretch of Ontario on Tuesday, with possible flooding in some areas.

Environment Canada has issued a series of weather statements and warnings spanning Sault Ste Marie and Sudbury to the north, east to the Ottawa region and beyond, most of the Greater Toronto Area and southwest to Sarnia and Windsor.

The weather agency said some areas could see as much as 30 millimetres of rain through Wednesday.

The ground is already near saturation, with little ability to absorb more rainfall, and water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, it said.

The agency urged people not to drive through flooded roadways and to watch for washouts in areas near rivers, creeks and other waterways.

It said to consult local conservation authorities and Ministry of Natural Resources offices for flooding information.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority said the current forecast suggests a “higher potential for flooding” from the local river systems.

“If the forecasted rainfall happens, all rivers may rise above their normal levels,” the organization said in a statement, adding all shorelines, rivers and streams in its jurisdiction “should be considered dangerous.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 14, 2026.

The Canadian Press