Heavy rain forecast for London region today and Wednesday

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the London region, warning of heavy rain starting late Tuesday afternoon and going into Wednesday.

Showers are expected to push into the region as a moisture-laden system moves into the Great Lakes Basin, the statement said. The showers are expected to become more widespread and heavy at times Tuesday night, and will come with a risk of thunderstorms as a more unstable air mass moves in.

"Typically, London getsabout 92.7 millimetres in the month of September," said Trudy Kidd, warning preparedness meteorologist for the weather agency."At the moment, we're at 31.1 mm. We've got quite a ways to go before we see a typical September. Today we do reach 30mm or 40mm, we'll be making our way towarda normal September."

Showers will continue into Wednesday morning but are expected to become more isolated and ease off in intensity.

Total local rainfall amounts will near 30 to 45 mm. Some areas may experience more than 45 mm and may need to be upgraded to a rainfall warning. It is still uncertain where the heaviest rain will be, said Kidd.

Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible.

Information and updates on local flooding levels can be found on the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority's website.