While rain continues to fall on and off across southwestern Ontario, it is actually the wind that will be the bigger issue heading into the weekend.
Environment Canada has a special weather statement in effect for London, Middlesex County, Oxford County, and Elgin County warning northwesterly winds will gust up to 80 km/h Friday afternoon into the night.
"Strong wind gusts may toss loose objects or cause tree branches to break," the national weather agency said.
It also warned of the potential for power outages. The wind will begin to ease Saturday morning.
The same low pressure system that is ushering in the strong winds, brought over 20 mm of rain to the region Thursday. The wet weather has led to some flooding in low-lying areas, but nothing significant.
According to the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA), waterways are seeing elevated levels that will remain high throughout the weekend.
"Parents and guardians are reminded to keep children and pets away from all watercourses," the conservation authority said in a statement. "Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery and, when combined with cold, fast-moving water, pose a serious hazard."
Sunshine is expected to return to the region on Saturday afternoon.
