The rain pattern that the area experienced over the weekend has essentially passed through this morning leaving

approximately 15 mm. of rainfall. Much of this rainfall was absorbed by the snowpack but some will runoff. The river

will gradually rise over the next day or two but flows will not be adequate to flood the Thames River flats in areas

upstream of Chatham.

There was approximately 15 centimetres of ice on the river in the lower portion of the Thames River from Chatham to

the river mouth before this weekend. At this time we don’t expect these flows to be sufficient to break it up. The

current below the ice cover may be sufficient to weaken it and therefore persons are advised to avoid it, particularly

where water is evident along the banks. Water along the river banks is an indicator that the ice cover has lifted and

there is a significant current beneath it. It will be several days before the flows on the river subside as a result of this

rainfall.

The area will return to generally below freezing temperatures tomorrow and these will remain for the remainder of the

week.