More than a dozen weather alerts are in effect across northwestern Ontario due to heavy rainfall, freezing rain and flurries expected from Friday afternoon into Saturday night, with some areas under winter storm watches.

In the Thunder Bay and Atikokan areas, rainfall combined with melting snow is expected, according to the statements issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada on Friday. Between 10 and 20 millimetres of rain is possible.

"The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb thi…