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Heavy rain could impact lake levels

Veronica Volk
/
Great Lakes Today/WXXI News

Lake Ontario is still at record highs -- sitting just above 249 feet -- and some rainstorms in the forecast could push it higher.

Jim Mitchell is a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

"It looks like it’s going to be pretty wet for much of the day," he said via phone on Wednesday.

The National Weather Service is predicting about an inch of rain in Rochester, or more in some areas.

Mitchell says storm surges and high winds won’t be a factor in this weather event, which is often what triggers worse problems for lakefront home and business owners.

But that doesn’t mean everyone is in the clear.

"Just be cognizant there will be heavier showers and storms out there so there will be some localized areas that may get up to two inches so there will be some localized problems."

Lake Ontario has lowered very slightly over the last few days, but it is still higher than average. 

Veronica Volk is a senior editor and producer for WXXI News.