Mild temperatures and rain have conservation officials warning about possible flooding in the London area over the Family Day long weekend.
The Upper Thames River Conservation Authority (UTRCA) issued a flood watch for the area on Friday. Temperatures, which are forecast to hit double digits Monday, mixed with 30-60 mm of rain by Wednesday will melt most of the snow in the watershed. That is expected to elevate water levels above those seen in several years.
"Because of the amount of water already on the landscape in the form of fairly ripe snow, the lack of re-freezing temperatures forecast overnight, and three days of rain, there is the potential for a significant flood event," said Mark Helsten, UTRCA senior water resources engineer.
Area waterways will rise rapidly on Monday and peak late Tuesday into Wednesday. They will remain high throughout the week.
Residents are urged to use extreme caution near all watercourses, and keep children and pets away. Ice is currently unstable and thin, the streambanks are slippery and the water is very cold.
