Freezing rain to hit Toronto, GTA for Wednesday morning commute
Posted March 22, 2022 8:57 am.
Last Updated March 22, 2022 12:51 pm.
Spring has officially arrived but we haven’t left the winter weather behind just yet — the GTA is under a special weather statement with rain, freezing rain and strong winds in the forecast for Wednesday.
CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor says everything will start around 5 a.m., just in time for the morning commute.
And also a RISK of freezing rain for #Toronto for WEDNESDAY morning. Separate Special Wx Statement issued for the city for icy roads. Freezing rain more likely though for areas north of Toronto tomorrow
— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) March 22, 2022
“Freezing rain is possible beginning Wednesday morning, however it is likely to mainly affect areas north of highway 401,” reads the special weather statement from Environment Canada.
“Areas near the shores of Lake Ontario are likely to remain above the freezing mark, and as a result should receive only rain.”
Colder areas away from the lake in Mississauga, Brampton, York and Durham regions, Halton Hills, and Milton, could see as much as 8mm of ice accretion.
There is also a separate Special Wx Statement for WEDNESDAY that includes Mississauga, Brampton, York/Durham regions for freezing rain and rain. Ice accretion 2to5mm and rainfall 10to 20mm. No matter where you are in S On tomorrow morning BE PREPARED for rain/snow/freezing rain
— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) March 22, 2022
Temperatures will rise above the freezing mark late Wednesday afternoon ending the risk of freezing rain. With up to 20 mm of rainfall expected, localized ponding on roads is possible.
Winds should pick up around 9 or 10 in the morning and up to 20mm of rainfall is expected to follow throughout the afternoon. Environment Canada says localized ponding and flooding is possible.
A high near 2 C is expected on Wednesday. The CityNews guaranteed high to Tuesday is 6 C.
Peter Kimbell from Environment Canada says the eagerly anticipated springtime warmup likely won’t arrive until April.
“Cold air will be plunging over Southern Ontario on the weekend,” Kimbell says. “We’ll be in for some cold weather next week. We will get some warmer temperatures but probably not until next month.”
In the meantime, he says we can take solace in the fact that the heavy dumpings of snow appear to be behind us.
