Regions of Canada are either bracing for floods or already experiencing flooding as warm weather melts the accumulated winter snow. The Weather Network forecast “warmer-than-normal” temperatures for the week of April 10.
Hamilton said Alberta and Saskatchewan will see temperatures close to 20 degrees, but Manitoba will have stubborn low clouds and a widespread snowpack suppressing temperatures.
British Columbia
In British Columbia, advisories of high streamflow were issued by B.C.’s River Forecast Centre on April 10, as heavy rain from a Pacific frontal system blanketed the southern interior. Similkameen and Okanagan regions were added to existing warnings affecting Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast, Metro Vancouver, and parts of the Fraser Valley.High streamflow advisories are issued when water levels could rise rapidly and flood low-lying areas.
The B.C. south coast is expecting up to 200 millimetres of precipitation, with high water levels in rivers through the North Shore Mountains, Howe Sound, the lower Mainland, the Fraser Valley, and Vancouver Island.
While flows are below normal, the rainfall is anticipated to rapidly increase water levels.
Alberta
In Alberta, the municipal district of Taber issued a flood watch on April 9 stating that warm temperatures were increasing the risk of flooding and that spring runoff had affected roads.Over the Easter weekend, Taber and the County of Forty Mile warned that spring runoff was affecting multiple roadways in the southeast region of the district.
Saskatchewan
In Saskatchewan on April 10, the Water Security Agency (WSA) advised the public that ice jams could be expected on Swift Current Creek, the Moose Jaw River, the Qu’Appelle River, and the Wood River following recent rapid melting and runoff.“Ice jams increase the risk for potential localized flooding as they disrupt normal flows and can cause water to breach embankments,” said the WSA.
The agency said that while ice jams were not uncommon, water flows were higher than predicted or expected to be higher.
WSA diverted water on the Swift Current Main Canal on April 10 to reduce flows through the city of Swift Current. The agency said runoff within headwater areas of the Moose Jaw River basin was also higher than expected.
Ontario
Eastern Ontario saw flood warnings issued by Quinte Conservation, headquartered in Belleville, Ontario, on April 9, for several rivers and lakes. Water levels on the Moira River from Stoco Lake to Corbyville continued to rise and were expected to peak by April 9.The organization said water levels at Stoco Lake and Moira River in Tweed were close to one-in-10-year flood levels, and with a warm forecast expected, melting snowpack could cause water levels to rise further.
Local municipalities were making sandbags available, and residents in low-level areas were advised to have sump pumps functioning, and secure items in low-lying regions.
Quinte warned the public to avoid open, fast-flowing water and expect ice surfaces to be unstable.