Flood Watch Issued December 27, 2024

This FLOOD WATCH is issued for all watercourses within the jurisdiction of Otonabee Region Conservation Authority, except the Trent-Severn Waterway. An approaching Texas Low will bring warm air temperatures and 25-40 millimeters of rain beginning December 28, followed by another low-pressure system on December 31 bringing additional rain. Snowmelt and rainfall occurring on frozen ground is expected to cause many watercourses and wetlands within local municipalities to exceed their normal confines, possibly making some low-lying sections of roadways impassable. However, the severity of flooding is not expected to exceed that of the minor category. Water pooling / ponding on the land and unsafe ice conditions on the water will also be widespread occurrences during this rainfall-snowmelt event.

Issued to: Municipalities of Selwyn, Douro-Dummer, Asphodel-Norwood, Otonabee-South Monaghan, Cavan Monaghan, City of Kawartha Lakes, City of Peterborough, Trent Hills, Indigenous communities, local water managers, emergency services and individual landowners should take appropriate preparations and monitor conditions.

Weather:  Starting Saturday, December 28, a Texas Low will advance into the region. As a result, the current cold air will retreat and be replaced by warm air with temperatures reaching as high as 10 degrees Celsius. This warm air mass will be accompanied by 25-40 millimetres of rainfall. Rain will taper off on Monday, December 30, followed by another low-pressure system bringing additional rainfall on Tuesday, December 31. A return to more normal conditions for this time of year is not expected to occur until the new year.

Flood Risk: Warm air temperature causing continuous snowmelt for 4 - 5 days combined with warm rain falling on snow overlying frozen ground, will result in depletion of the snowpack and nuisance to minor flooding of low-lying, flood-prone areas, as well as water pooling / ponding in depressions on the land and unsafe ice conditions.  

As a result, municipalities, Indigenous communities, local water managers, emergency services and individual landowners are advised to prepare for potential flooding and to monitor conditions. Water levels can be monitored at Trent-Severn Waterway, Water Survey of Canada and Otonabee Conservation websites.

Residents and visitors are advised that all ice should be considered unsafe and to use caution near all watercourses. Slippery and unstable streambanks and extremely cold water temperatures create additional hazards. 

This FLOOD WATCH message will expire Friday, January 3, 2024, at 3 p.m., unless updated earlier.