Ontario Braces for Hazardous Freezing Rain This Afternoon

Last Updated: 12:02 am

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Update: As of 5:15 a.m, the Special Weather Statement areas have now also been upgraded to a Yellow Freezing Rain Warning. While this may seem scary, all the details below, aside from the name of the alert remain the same.

Ontario is expected to experience several hours of freezing rain today, mainly during the noon and afternoon hours, with 1 to 5 millimetres of ice accumulation possible, according to Environment Canada. The freezing rain could make travel and daily routines more difficult across much of the province. The areas with weather warnings could expect to see more freezing rain at times than forecast in other regions.

We generally use bullet points, but with so many areas affected we had to group them together in a paragraph

Special Weather Statement Areas

Toronto, Kingston, Belleville, Cobourg, Peterborough, Oshawa, Vaughan, St. Catharines, Barrie, Apsley, Woodview, Northern Peterborough County, Barrie, Collingwood, Hillsdale, Dryden, Vermilion Bay, Dunnville, Caledonia, Fenelon Falls, Balsam Lake Park, Northern Kawartha Lakes, Napanee, Consecon, Newmarket, Georgina, Northern York Region, Niagara Falls, Welland, Southern Niagara Region, Orillia, Lagoon City, Washago, Peterborough City, Lakefield, Southern Peterborough County, Pickering, Oshawa, Southern Durham Region, Port Carling, Port Severn, Rodney, Shedden, Western Elgin County, Sarnia, Petrolia, Western Lambton County, Simcoe, Delhi, Norfolk, St. Catharines, Grimsby, Northern Niagara Region, St. Thomas, Aylmer, Eastern Elgin County, Stirling, Tweed, Madoc, Tamworth, Sydenham, South Frontenac, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Northern Durham Region, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Watford, Pinery Park, Windsor, Leamington, Essex County.

A Special Weather Statement is issued when conditions are not expected to be severe enough to trigger a warning, but could still cause difficult or unusual weather conditions. People in these areas should remain alert, plan ahead, and exercise caution.

Yellow Freezing Rain Warning Areas

Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Woodstock, Owen Sound, Blue Mountains, Saugeen Shores, Kincardine, Orangeville, Grand Valley, Halton Hills, Milton, London, Parkhill, Mount Forest, Arthur, Northern Wellington County, Caledon, Brantford, County of Brant, Goderich, Bluewater, Southern Huron County, Listowel, Milverton, Northern Perth County, Midland, Coldwater, Orr Lake, Hanover, Dundalk, Southern Grey County, Shelburne, Mansfield, Northern Dufferin County, Stratford, Mitchell, Southern Perth County, Wingham, Blyth, Northern Huron County.

A Yellow Warning is more serious. It means hazardous conditions are likely in this case, significant freezing rain that could make roads, sidewalks, and walkways dangerously slippery. Ice accumulation could also lead to power outages and other disruptions. Residents should take immediate precautions.

What to Expect

The freezing rain may be mixed with snow or ice pellets at times. Areas along the Lake Ontario shoreline may see the precipitation briefly change to rain if temperatures rise above freezing.

Safety Tips

• Drive slowly and allow extra time for travel.

• Be careful walking on potentially icy sidewalks and pathways.

• Keep an eye on forecasts and alerts as conditions change throughout the afternoon.

  
  

For the latest road conditions, check Ontario’s 511 service at ontario.ca/511

Stay Connected

Check in on friends, family, and neighbors, especially older adults or anyone who may need help navigating icy conditions. Sharing this article with your community can help others stay safe and prepared during today’s freezing rain.

What’s Your Weather Like?

We want to hear from you! If you’re seeing icy conditions this afternoon, email us your weather updates, photos, or videos at smalltownproductionscanada@gmail.com. Your reports help keep our community informed and prepared.

Stay informed, stay careful, and make sure those around you are safe from the ice.

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