A heavy rain storm is expected to drench Toronto with as much as 40 millimetres of rain over the next two days.

The Toronto area is under a special weather statement, as the low pressure storm brings showers and isolated thunderstorms Wednesday and Thursday. Showers may be heavy at times, but the predicted rainfall is about half of what's expected further northeast: 30 to 40 millimetres.

North of the GTA, Environment Canada has issued rainfall warnings for parts of Ontario from Prescott-Russell to Belleville, predicting heavy rain and thunderstorms as a spring storm travels across the province.

The weather agency is predicting 50 to 70 millimetres of rain will fall in some areas, but warns that higher amounts may be possible. Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and deep puddles on roads, so drivers are urged to be cautious.

The following areas are under a special weather warning, and are expected to be hit hardest by the storm:

  • Bancroft-Bon Echo Park
  • Belleville-Qunite-Northumberland
  • Brockville-Leeds and Grenville
  • City of Ottawa
  • Cornwall-Morrisburg
  • Kingston-Prince Edward
  • Peterborough-Kawartha Lakes
  • Prescott and Russell
  • Renfrew-Pembroke-Barry's Bay
  • Smiths Falls-Lanark-Sharbot Lake
  • Stirling-Tweed-South Frontenac

These areas are under a special weather statement, and can expect less rain:

  • Algonquin
  • Barrie-Orillia-Midland
  • Burk's Falls-Bayfield Inlet
  • City of Hamilton
  • City of Toronto
  • Dufferin-Innisfil
  • Dunnville-Caledonia-Haldimand
  • Haliburton
  • Halton-Peel
  • Niagara
  • Parry Sound-Muskoka