WEATHER ALERT
ENVIRONMENT CANADA
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Freezing rain warning in effect for:
- Guelph - Erin - Southern Wellington County
- Kitchener - Cambridge - Region of Waterloo
- Mount Forest - Arthur - Northern Wellington County
Significant ice build-up due to freezing rain is expected or occurring.
A potentially historic ice storm expected this weekend. Widespread power outages possible.
A moisture laden low pressure area over the Central Plains States will amble towards the lower Great Lakes this weekend. As the low approaches, brisk northeasterly winds will pump in cold Arctic air, forcing temperatures below freezing this morning.
Any current rain will become widespread this morning then quickly change to freezing rain. It should persist into this evening. Some ice pellets may be mixed in at times.
A lull in precipitation is likely this evening with patchy freezing drizzle expected. However, as the low approaches tonight, freezing rain will likely become widespread again. It should persist until it changes to rain Sunday afternoon. Significant rain may fall late Sunday and Sunday night creating localized flooding.
Ice build up to 25 mm appears likely across the region by Sunday afternoon. It may exceed that in some locales. Strong winds gusting to 70 km/h are also expected tonight and Sunday. The combination of excessive ice accumulations and strong winds may result in widespread power outages due to fallen trees and power lines.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected on untreated roads Saturday and Sunday, enhanced by fallen tree limbs.
Stay away from fallen power lines. Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to [email protected] or tweet reports using #ONStorm.
