Heavy rain and thunderstorms expected for Hamilton area

It's going to rain - a lot.

Hamilton could see 40 to 60 mm of rainfall before Thursday, according to Environment Canada.

A special weather statement issued by the weather service on Tuesday morning is in effect for Hamilton and most of southern Ontario.

The rain is expected to start tonight and continue through to Wednesday night.

Some areas could see higher rainfall and multiple thunderstorms which could trigger rainfall warnings, the weather service also said.

The severe rain is because of a cold front and moist low pressure system moving into Southern Ontario from the American mid-west.

The weather service says we should see 20 to 30 mm of rain overnight Tuesday, and 20 to 30 mm more on Wednesday.

The greatest amount of rain recorded for Sept. 22 was 44.5 mm in 1989.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator in Hamilton. Reach her via email: jmoore@thespec.com