Freezing rain is going to be the main concern in parts of eastern Ontario and southern Quebec as a weather system moves into the region.
Environment Canada is forecasting a range of 10 to 40 millimetres over a 24-hour period, with an orange warning for freezing rain in place for several cities including Ottawa, Gatineau, Montreal and Quebec City.
Even at 10 mm, Global News meteorologist Ross Hull says freezing rain creates issues.
“If that does happen, then you’re looking at an impact on infrastructure. So power outages, tree limbs falling and those types of things,” Hull said.
Hull said freezing rain is a concern in places like Ottawa and Montreal, but he added areas farther north are likely to see higher amounts of ice.
“It’s something certainly to be on the lookout farther north of Montreal,” he noted.
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Meanwhile, in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, winter storm conditions are expected, including strong winds, snow and ice pellets.
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Roughly 30 to 40 centimetres of accumulation is expected through Wednesday, into Thursday evening.
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Hull said there will be “variability” in terms of what people will see, as the temperature and amount of rain falling could change in various locations but people should still be aware and prepared.
“If there are power outages, they’re going to be dealing with cold conditions and the ice isn’t going to go … like oftentimes you depend on that milder weather to melt the ice, but it won’t be melting in this case,” Hull said.
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He added travel impacts are possible, given the need for planes to de-ice and treating the roads and walkways.
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It’s not just freezing rain that will be seen in the coming hours, with a yellow warning for rainfall in place for much of southern Ontario.
About 20 to 40 millimetres are forecast, with Environment Canada noting the saturated or frozen ground will leave little ability to absorb the water creating the potential for flooding.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has issued a statement until Thursday evening, urging people to stay away from rivers, shorelines and nearby trails. People are also advised to watch for ponding on roads, low-lying areas and underpasses.
Those who were hoping winter is in the rearview mirror, though, may be out of luck, with Hull adding a clipper system is on its way to Ontario.
In that case, parts of southern Ontario could see between two and five centimetres locally, with more possible in some areas.
“So we’re not done with the snow, which I know a lot of people are probably not happy about,” he said.
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