A slow-moving low pressure system is expected to dump significant rain on southwestern Ontario Monday night and Tuesday.
Environment Canada has a special weather statement in effect.
Meteorologist Geoff Coulson says the system is tapping into the same tropical moisture responsible for the flooding rains across Louisiana, but amounts are not expected to be that extreme here.
"I'm sure many folks have seen the images from Louisiana, significant flooding down there, this system even more potent as it was coming off the Gulf of Mexico, but still has a lot of moisture associated with it," says Coulson.
We're not expecting the rainfall amounts that they got in Louisiana, but again I think in terms of the widespread nature of this rainfall, this will likely be the most widespread event we've seen since last spring."
Coulson says the heavier rain will begin moving into the area after midnight and continue, potentially heavy at times, Tuesday.
He says general rainfall amounts of 15 mm to 40 mm (1.5 in) are expected across Lambton County but some areas could get more in embedded thunderstorms.
Coulson says the widespread rain, while welcome, probably won't put a dent in the extreme drought conditions some areas of southwestern Ontario have experienced dating back to April.
