Power outages possible in GTA on Sunday due to strong winds, rain: Environment Canada

The Greater Toronto Area could be in for a rainy St. Patrick's Day weekend.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Toronto and surrounding areas on Sunday, warning of strong winds and rain.

Wind gusts between 60 to 80 km/h are possible, with total rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 millimetres, the federal department said in a weather alert Saturday morning. 

Rain with a risk of thunderstorms is expected to begin overnight Saturday or Sunday morning and move out of the area by the evening.

Strong southerly winds may begin Sunday morning and continue into the afternoon, Environment Canada said. The winds may shift west with a cold front in the afternoon, then ease later in the day. 

Frozen ground in the affected areas has a reduced ability to absorb the rainfall, the weather department said. 

"Localized flooding in low-lying areas and water pooling on roads are possible," the weather alert said. "Loose objects may be tossed by the wind and cause injury or damage." 

Power outages may also happen, Environment Canada warned. 

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority says that while it doesn't anticipate widespread flooding, local ponding or pooling of water in areas with poor drainage can be expected.

It says the combination of rain and already partially thawed or wet soil conditions will result in increased water levels and flows within rivers for the next couple of days, and that shorelines, rivers and streams in the GTA should be considered dangerous.

The special weather statement is in effect for the following areas: City of Toronto, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Georgina, northern York Region, Durham Region, Oakville, Pickering, Oshawa, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Barrie, Collingwood, and Hillsdale.