Environment Canada has issued a rainfall warning for the Kawarthas region beginning late afternoon or early evening on Friday (March 6) and continuing into Saturday evening, with local conservation authorities warning of the potential for localized flooding due to the combination of rain and melting snow.
The “yellow” rainfall warning is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawarthas Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.
Several rounds of showers and isolated thunderstorms will move into Ontario beginning Friday evening. Rainfall amounts of 15 to 40 mm are expected, with locally higher amounts possible due to thunderstorms.
The rain, combined with double-digit temperatures on Saturday, will likely melt much of the significant snowpack and lead to additional runoff.
The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb the runoff, resulting in ponding on roads and low-lying areas. Don’t drive through flooded roadways. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts.
Otonabee Conservation has issued a flood watch for the watercourses in its jurisdiction, excluding the Trent-Severn Waterway, in effect from Friday until next Thursday (March 12).
The current above-average snowpack in the region and frozen ground have a reduced capacity to absorb the forecasted rain and snowmelt, resulting in significant run-off that may rapidly increasing water levels and flows, creating the potential for flooding.
The run-off may also result in overland flow and ponding of water on roads, in low-lying areas and locations with poor drainage, and well as weakening ice cover and possible breakup.
Flooding along the Trent-Severn Waterway is not expected because the Kawartha Lakes, Otonabee River, and Rice Lake have been drawn down to create capacity to accommodate the rainfall and snowmelt runoff.
Meanwhile, Kawartha Conservation has issued a flood outlook watershed conditions statement in effect from Friday to Monday. A flood outlook is an early notice of the potential for flooding based on weather forecasts calling for heavy rain, snow melt, high wind, or conditions that could lead to high runoff, cause ice jams, lakeshore flooding, or erosion.
“While widespread flooding is not anticipated at this time, localized flooding and water pooling may occur in low-lying areas, roadways, along shorelines, and where drainage is restricted,” Kawartha Conservation states.
“Increased flows and water levels will create hazardous conditions near waterways, including unstable or slippery banks and unsafe conditions around water structures such as bridges, culverts, and dams. Kawartha Conservation advises residents to avoid all watercourses during this period and reminds parents and pet owners to keep children and pets away.”
This story has been updated with the latest forecast from Environment Canada.
