Freezing rain warning for GTA, ahead of potential ice storm this weekend

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the GTA, ahead of a storm system that could leave the area covered in ice this weekend.

In the warning that was issued on Friday, the weather agency warns of “significant ice build-up due to freezing rain” and adds an “ice storm [is] likely this weekend.”

As the low pressure system tracks towards the lower Great Lakes, brisk winds will bring in Arctic air, which will cause temperatures to fall to near or below the freezing mark on Saturday.

Rain will change to freezing rain, which is expected to continue for a few hours into the evening. Freezing rain may become mixed with or turn into ice pellets.

Although there will be a break in precipitation by Saturday evening, the freezing rain will resume on Sunday. It will then change to rain, which may be heavy at times.

At this point, Environment Canada predicts some areas could get between 10 and 20 millimetres of ice buildup by Sunday morning. Areas closer to the lake may see less ice accumulation as temperatures hover close to the freezing mark.

The ice accumulation combined with 60 km/h winds could lead to power outages, hazardous driving conditions, and flooding.

Rain is expected to continue on Monday but will taper off later in the day.

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