A winter warmup may cause some flooding in southwestern Ontario this week.
After a pair of significant snowstorms this month, temperatures are taking a turn and heading into positive territory.
According to Environment Canada, temperatures in parts of Waterloo Region may reach 5 degrees on Monday and Tuesday. Although the weather is expected to cool down slightly on Wednesday and Thursday, with expected highs of 3 degrees and 1 degree respectively; freezing temperatures aren’t expected to return until Friday.
Rain is also possible on both Wednesday and Thursday.
The sudden changes are raising potential flooding concerns.
“Right now, we have approximately a bit over a month’s worth of rainfall equivalent in the snowpack. So, the potential for flooding does exist,” Vahid Taleban, manager of flood operations with the Grand River Conservation Authority told CTV News.
“The mild temperatures over the next few days might erode ice and cause it to be a bit weaker as a result of that. We’re strongly recommending everybody stay away from the water and use caution,” he said.
Meanwhile, people who specialize in leak prevention and restoration are already gearing up for what could be a busy few days.
“Staying ahead is key,” Wesley Rose, the owner of The Crack Specialist, said.
“Shoveling around your house, cleaning out your eavestrough, cleaning out your sump pump discharge, keeping the snow away from your house,” Rose said.
Rose also recommended taking a close look at downspouts to ensure they are not blocked by ice.
“When this melts, it has no place to go, so that’s a big concern for me,” Rose said.
“We are probably going to get a thousand phone calls in the space of a week, so bear with us.”
