Freezing rain continues in parts of southern Ontario Saturday, as Toronto braces for storm

The weekend in southern Ontario has started off with freezing rain in several areas, with Toronto expected to see it later in the evening. According to Environment Canada, freezing rain has already begun in Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Newmarket, Georgina, northern York Region, Uxbridge, Beaverton, Pickering, Oshawa, and Durham Region. These areas are expected to see ice build up between five to 10 mm, as per the warnings issued by Environment Canada.

As temperatures hover near zero degrees, the freezing rain is likely to change over to rain, but will persist longer in higher terrain where temperatures are cooler. The warnings state that freezing rain is expected to end for all areas by midday Sunday. Environment Canada is advising people to consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve, as tree branches may break under the weight of the ice build-up, and surfaces like highways, roads, and walkways will become icy, slippery, and hazardous.

In Toronto, Mississauga, and Brampton, freezing rain is expected to begin on Saturday night and continue into Sunday morning. There is a risk of it starting earlier on Saturday morning. These cities may see ice build up between three to five millimeters, along with potential utility outages, slippery surfaces, and broken tree branches, as highlighted in a special weather statement by Environment Canada.

Further north in Orillia, Lagoon City, and Washago, ice build-up is expected to be between 10 to 20 mm, with amounts exceeding 25 mm being possible. The ice storm began on Saturday morning and is forecasted to continue into Sunday afternoon, with widespread power outages and icy, slippery conditions anticipated. Barrie, Collingwood, and Hillsdale are under freezing rain and rainfall warnings, with both starting early Saturday morning. By Sunday morning, between five to 10 mm of ice build-up is expected, along with rainfall amounts between 25 to 50 mm.

As the event draws nearer, freezing rain warnings are likely to be issued by Environment Canada. It is crucial for residents in these areas to stay informed, stay safe, and take necessary precautions to mitigate the impacts of the freezing rain and ice storm.