Residents of Stratford, Ontario are seeing warmer than usual weather this week, though local officials are urging people to remain cautious around area waterways due to ongoing high water levels. According to The Weather Network, temperatures are expected to reach a high of 18°C today, which is significantly warmer than the typical April average of 11°C.
Despite the pleasant temperatures, the Upper Thames River Conservation Authority has issued a water safety statement that remains in effect through today, April 9, 2026. Local watercourses are currently running high after receiving 20 to 50 millimetres of rain last week. While water levels are slowly beginning to recede after peaking earlier this week, the authority is forecasting an additional 10 to 15 millimetres of rain for Wednesday and Thursday, which is expected to keep levels elevated.
To help manage the situation and reduce the risk of downstream flooding, the conservation authority is actively operating its flood control reservoirs at Fanshawe, Wildwood, and Pittock Conservation Areas. This ongoing work is part of a broader effort to monitor conditions during the spring season, with this being the fourth flood-related event declared in the region so far this year.
The City of Stratford continues to work closely with the conservation authority to monitor the local watershed, including the Avon River and the reservoir at Lake Victoria. Residents are advised to exercise caution near all riverbanks and streams as conditions can change quickly with continued rainfall.
