A warm front, melting snow and rain in the forecast are a recipe for potential flooding.
The Grand River Conservation Authority has issued a flood warning for its entire watershed.
A warm front will arrive Monday and persist through Wednesday of next week, bringing with it a system that could produce heavy rainfall.
About 40 mm of rain is forecast for early next week, with temperatures expected to reach as high as 13 C over the course of the system. That combination is expected to trigger moderate runoff into the river system. That combined with snow melt will lead to elevated river flows across the watershed.
The risk of flooding exists in low lying areas and from ice jams as this event moves through the watershed. Residents in areas near waterways should be aware of these conditions and take appropriate precautions.
The public is reminded to exercise extreme caution around all water bodies. Banks adjacent to rivers and creeks are very slippery at this time and, when combined with current weather conditions, pose a serious hazard. Parents are encouraged to keep their children and pets away from all watercourses and off frozen water bodies, which will be extremely unsafe as a result of the warming trend.
This message will remain in effect until Tuesday afternoon. Updated flood messages will be issued as conditions develop and new information is available.
---with files from Janice MacKay---