After a long winter and some heavy snowfall, the city of Regina says there may be more potholes than usual come spring thaw this year.

Potholes form when water from melting snow gets underneath pavement and then freezes. That freezing action stresses the pavement and when the water melts again, a characteristic pothole is the result.

The cracks and holes from the freezing and thawing are made worse when traffic rolls across a damaged section.

The heavy snowfall this winter has people nervous.

"With this amount of snow there is a possibility that we could see an increase in potholes this year," Adam Homes, director of roadways and transportation services for the City of Regina, told CBC News.

He added that that temperature swings — from freezing to melting — will play a big role in pothole formations.

"If we see a swing in that freeze-thaw cycle, that could help create ... more potholes," he said.

The city says it has a plan of attack ready, to keep on top of potholes.

With files from CBC's Dean Gutheil