Rainfall weather alert in effect for Windsor-Essex, ERCA issues flood watch

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Windsor-Essex, Leamington, Chatham-Kent, and Rondeau Park.

The weather agencysaid awarm front associated with a low pressure area is movingthrough the region Monday, bringing periods of rain.

Thunderstorms coming in fromnorthern Indiana and Ohio will weakenby the time they hit Ontario, but will bring 10 to 20 mm of rain in the afternoon.It will taper off a little later this afternoon followed by another round of showers Monday night, with some additional rainfall. Those amounts are not expected to be significant.

Environment Canada said the amounts are below the criteriafor rainfall warning when the ground is frozen. But the poolingof water on roadwaysis possible and minor flooding could hit poorly-drained areas.

More mild weather and rain are expected on Tuesday.

ERCA flood warning

The Essex Region Conservation Authority has upgraded its previous 'watershed warning' to a flood watch on Monday.

ERCAreports that rainfall totals from Monday to Wednesday range from 40 to 75 mm.

The conservation authority warns that the entire Essex region has semi-frozen ground conditions that are saturated due to unseasonably high temperatures, melting snow and rain.

ERCA warns thatpeopleshould be extra cautiousand avoid rivers, lakes, ditches, streams and ponds. Ice on waterways will be unstable and dangerous.