Hurricane Sandy’s wind and rain to trigger miserable weather in Eastern Canada

Hurricane Sandy is still off the east coast of the United States, and it still ranks as a strong Category 1 hurricane, with maximum sustained winds of 140 km/h. It should soon make its predicted 'hard-left turn', and should make landfall in either Delaware or New Jersey shortly after midnight tonight.

There is still some uncertainty in the storm's exact path, as there always is with hurricanes, however it is still generally on track to pass through south-central and eastern Ontario on Thursday, and southern Quebec on Friday.

[ Related: Hurricane Sandy: how to prepare for its arrival in Canada ]

Although rainfall totals in the forecast have been reduced, from 75 mm down to 20-40 mm with the possibly over 50 mm in some areas, the precipitation will be wide-ranging, possibly reaching as far west as Lake Superior and as far north as James Bay.

Wind warnings are in effect for much of southern Ontario and parts of southwestern Quebec. Severe winds of 60 km/h, along with wind gusts of 90 to 100 km/h, are expected overnight tonight. The winds should ease up as of Tuesday morning, dropping below warning levels, but they should remain significant until the storm as passed.

[ Related: Canadian Hurricane Centre predicting Ontario will receive worst of Sandy ]

Additionally, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has issued a statement warning of the potential for the significant rainfall from the storm to swell streams and rivers in the area.

Flights from Toronto's Pearson Airport and Billy Bishop Airport have also been affected, with hundreds cancelled to regions in Canada and the U.S. east coast.

The strongest bands of precipitation will likely be east of the storm centre, specifically over the Atlantic provinces, and rainfall there should last for several days as the storm slowly works its way up the St Lawrence and out to sea.