Prepare for El Niño impacts this fall and winter

El Niño is a natural weather pattern caused by warmer than normal ocean temperatures, and it can affect weather around the world. Experts say that Canada may experience a strong El Niño this year and climate change, which is warming ocean waters, can make it even stronger.

In Mississauga, that could mean a slower start to winter and more days when temperatures rise above and fall below freezing. Some City services may be delayed or look different than usual.

Here’s what residents can expect and how to prepare:

Opening of outdoor ice rinks delayed

The City operates four artificial outdoor rinks: Mississauga Celebration Square, Woodhurst Heights ice rink, Port Credit Memorial Park skating trail and Ternopil Park (formerly Gulleden Park) ice rink.

Milder El Niño temperatures make it harder to make and keep ice on refrigerated rinks, as warm weather causes the ice base to melt. Depending on the weather, the City may delay or pause the opening of outdoor ice rinks due to safety concerns. Please call 905-615-3200 ext. RINK to check if outdoor rinks are open.

For natural ice rinks managed by volunteers, watch for signage in your neighbourhood park to determine whether the rink is open for use.

To learn more about skating in Mississauga, visit mississauga.ca/skating.

Tree damage due to freeze-thaw cycles

Repeated freezing and thawing can weaken trees and cause branches to fall.

If a tree on City property has fallen or poses safety concerns to pedestrians, report it to 311 and provide a detailed description. Calls are triaged based on the type and location of the damage.

You can also submit a request to clean up damaged trees or tree debris on City property.

Potholes and road damage

The same temperature swings can also damage roads, causing potholes to form and creating an uneven surface for road users.

You can report potholes and road damage by calling 311 or by filling out an online service request. City staff will inspect the damage within three business days and make the area safe for road users.

Dead or damaged sod

Sod damage on City property can happen due to snowplows, utility work, road work, weather conditions or vehicle accidents. The City repairs areas of dead or damaged sod on City property from May to June and September to October.

The City does not replace sod that’s brown due to salt from winter maintenance. Visit the City’s website to report dead or damaged sod for more information.

Why road salt is still needed

Even if El Niño brings a milder winter, Mississauga can still see snow, ice and changing temperatures that require winter maintenance, including road salt.

Through its Low Road Salt Strategy, the City is using less salt while keeping roads and sidewalks safe in winter. This includes using more anti-icing brine, plowing at the right time and testing new approaches. These efforts help limit the environmental impacts of winter maintenance while ensuring safe travel conditions.

Be ready in case of an emergency

Extreme weather can happen at any time, even in a milder season. Fall is a great time to create or refresh your emergency plan and kit.

Follow this guide to plan how to:

• Get in contact with family members during an emergency.
• Map out a home evacuation plan.
• Build a 72-hour emergency kit for family members and pets.
• Learn how to stay informed during emergency situations.
• Deal with specific situations like power outages, flooding and winter storms.

Stay informed

To stay up to date as conditions change, residents are encouraged to:

• Check local forecasts, including the Weather Network or WeatherCAN app from Environment and Climate Change Canada.
• Follow @citymississauga, @saugaparksrec, @CVC_CA and @TRCA_HQ on X.
• Visit the City of Mississauga Newsroom for updates.

Tags

• Climate Change
• Emergency and Preparedness