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The Big Melt

Wednesday, 19 February 2014 at 15:58

Milder temperatures and significant rainfall is causing concern for a snow melt and unsafe waterways

Warmer temperatures and substantial rain is heading for southern Ontario.

Two weather systems, one from Alberta and the other from Texas, are tracking towards the Great Lakes and are expected to intensify Thursday, prompting Environment Canada to issue a Special Weather statement, and a rainfall warning.

The systems are expected to bring above seasonal temperatures, significant precipitation and strong winds by Thursday afternoon.

Areas to the north and east may see ice pellets, freezing rain and snow before transitioning over to rain.

Southwestern Ontariocould see rainfall amounts of 25 to 50 mm from Thursday evening into Friday morning.  Thunderstorms are a possibility with this system.

Strong winds are also a concern with gusts reaching 60 km/h tomorrow and increasing to 70 or 80 km/h by Friday.

The weather agency says they will issue watches and warnings if necessary as the two storms track closer to the region.

With the predicted rainfall amounts and milder temperatures, snow melt and unsafe waterways are also a concern with the approaching system.

The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority says rivers and creeks will approach bank-full conditions, and in some areas may spill into floodplains. Minor localized flooding may also be an issue in urban areas.  Mark Shifflettt, UTRCA Senior Water Resources Engineer says, “We expect that the warm temperatures and rain will not melt the entire snowpack, but some melting and runoff will occur.  We will see watercourses rise, especially if we get the higher temperatures and rain amounts predicted.”

The Authority urges residents to stay away from waterways as the ice cover will be unstable, banks will be slippery and the water will be cold and fast flowing.  Parents are also reminded to keep their children, and any family pets away from the water courses as well.

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