Weather warnings for the area, with flood outlook and water safety statements issued
Rainfall and freezing rain warnings are in place for the North Bay area.
Environment Canada says a Colorado low will bring freezing rain to the area beginning Thursday afternoon or early Thursday evening, then rain, heavy at times, ending on Friday morning.
Ice build-up of 2 to 3 mm is possible, with rainfall amounts of 30 to 50 mm.
The heaviest rain is expected to fall Thursday night, with higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
The weather agency says water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas, adding visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times.
Meantime, the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority (NBMCA) says a flood outlook is in place for most of the watershed.
Officials say a Watershed Conditions Statement – Water Safety has also been issued for the Lake Nipissing Shoreline and the Mattawa River downstream of Hurdman Dam.
They say water levels on area lakes and rivers are generally normal for this time of year, though they have risen over the past week because of the mild temperatures, rainfall, and snowmelt.
Trails at the Corbeil Conservation Area are closed due to flooding.
“Significant water content remains stored in the snowpack, and many wetlands and low-lying areas across the watershed are inundated,” says Angela Mills, NBMCA Flood Duty Officer. “Water levels and flows are expected to increase with forecasted rain and resulting snowmelt.”
On April 1, the average snow depth was 42.5 cm and the snow water equivalent across the watershed was 133.3 mm, which are both above normal.
The remaining snow is wet, heavy, and unstable, and many wetlands and low-lying areas are currently inundated.
Richard Coffinhttps://www.mynorthbaynow.com/Richard Coffin has been a reporter and news anchor on the radio in North Bay for over 25 years. From premiers to people in the neighbourhood, he enjoys connecting with newsmakers and writing stories that matter to area listeners on a variety of topics including healthcare, education, politics, sports and more.