Environment Canada calling for freezing rain tonight, 20 mm tomorrow

WEST CARLETON – Environment Canada has issued a couple of wild weather statements today expecting freezing rain later today (March 23) and buckets of the stuff tomorrow morning (March 24).

This afternoon Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning expecting the slippery weather to move in later today.

“Freezing rain resulting in ice accretion of two to four millimetres, locally higher amounts are possible in the Ottawa River Valley,” Environment Canada said. “Late this afternoon or evening and lingering into Thursday morning. The freezing rain will likely linger into early Thursday morning before changing over to rain as temperatures warm.”

There remains some uncertainty in ice accretion amounts for the Ottawa River Valley which could see additional amounts of ice accretion by noon on Thursday.

“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break,” staff said. “Utility outages may occur.”

Environment Canada says with the warm weather significant rainfall is expected Thursday morning.

“Rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 mm which may lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas and localized water pooling on roads,” Environment Canada said. “A mix of snow and ice pellets is forecast to develop late this afternoon or evening before changing to a period of freezing rain. The freezing rain is expected to transition to rain Thursday morning. Currently, a freezing rain warning is in effect. Rainfall amounts of 10 to 20 mm are possible by Thursday afternoon.”

The partially frozen ground may have a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall and localized flooding in low-lying areas will be possible.

“For information concerning flooding, please consult your local Conservation Authority or Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry office,” Environment Canada said

 Visit Ontario.ca/floods for the latest details.