Heavy rain will fall over much of western Newfoundland and the Northern Peninsula on Saturday before ending late this afternoon or this evening. The heavy rainfall will lead to poor driving conditions at times over much of the West Coast and Northern Peninsula. Expect ponding on roadways and the potential for localized flooding.

Due to the expected heavy rainfall, the Environment and Climate Change Canada Weather Office in Gander has issued a Rainfall Warning until this evening for the following areas:

• Gros Morne
• Parson’s Pond – Hawke’s Bay
• Port Saunders and the Straits

Rainfall amounts of 40 to 70 mm will fall over this area, with locally higher amounts possible. The greatest accumulations can be expected roughly between Parson’s Pond and Plum Point.

Rainfall rates may exceed 10 mm per hour over some locations. Turn on your lights and maintain a safe following distance if visibility is reduced while driving. Rainfall warnings are issued when significant rainfall is expected.

Remember, you cannot tell how deep floodwaters are and it only takes 15 cm of fast-moving water to float a car off of its wheels.