Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for possible significant rainfall in Haliburton County on Saturday (April 22).
Periods of rain will move into the area later Friday afternoon or early in the evening and will continue into Friday night, with amounts near 5 mm possible.
After a brief break in the precipitation overnight, another more significant round of rainfall is expected Saturday with a further 10 to 25 mm possible by the evening.
Although these amounts are not particularly high, the area is sensitive to any additional rainfall. According to Otonabee Conservation, water levels in the Haliburton and reservoir lakes are approaching their respective full levels due to the past several weeks of sustained snow and ice melt and rainfall runoff.
There is a small possibility that up to 50 mm may fall across the northern portions of the Haliburton region. If this happens, then run-off will cause water levels and flows on the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River to increase more than anticipated and rapidly. Otonabee Conservation is advising residents and businesses located in flood-prone areas on the shores of the Kawartha Lakes and Otonabee River to remain vigilant.
Environment Canada’s confidence in where the heaviest rainfall will occur Saturday is still low. Rainfall warnings may be required for some regions.
Elsewhere in the greater Kawarthas region for Saturday, Environment Canada is calling for showers, at times heavy, with 10 to 25 mm of rain possible. There is a risk of a thunderstorm late Saturday afternoon and again early in the evening.
