Rainfall warning issued for Ottawa

Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for Ottawa and the surrounding areas to the north and west, with up to 50 millimetres of rain possible in some places.

An earlier special weather statement was upgraded to a warning because of the limited ability of the ground to absorb any more rainfall, according to a notice posted Friday morning on the weather agency's website.

Between20 and 35 millimetres could fall in Ottawa, Gatineauandcommunities south and east of the capital by Saturday morning.

Up to 40 millimetres of rain could fall in areas to the north and west of Ottawa, with isolated spots that could see as much as 50 millimetres.

All this precipitation will also add to the strain onlocal rivers and the City of Ottawa has declared a state of emergency, calling in the military to help just like it already is across the border in western Quebec.

Kingston's peak is forecast at 40 millimetres as well, but the flooding there has been less severe.

The high hits 11 C, with an easterly breeze gusting to 40 km/h developing tonight.

The weekend looks chilly, and breezy, with rain changing to flurries early Saturday and a high of just 2 C.

Overnight lows dip into minus territory both Saturday and Sunday.

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