Rain will continue across the region today before transitioning over to freezing rain and ice pellets across Eastern and Central Ontario. The Ottawa region will see less in terms of freezing rain, however, greater accumulations of ice pellets are expected.
It is important to remember during freezing rain that only a small amount of freezing rain can create slippery conditions on roadways and sidewalks.
By Thursday, the freezing rain and ice pellets will slowly transition to snow, however, a Snowfall Outlook is not anticipated at this time. A general 5 cm is expected across the region, with potentially higher accumulations through the Parry Sound area. If necessary, a Snowfall Outlook will be published.
The largest accumulations of freezing rain are expected through Eastern Ontario, particularly affecting Bancroft and Brockville, as well as through Parry Sound and Huntsville. Accumulations to the east through Ottawa will be less due to greater accumulations of ice pellets. Accumulations will decrease further to the west, with the exception of an area near Shelburne and Orangeville where 4 to 6 mm of freezing rain is expected.
Area Breakdown
6 to 8 mm: Parry Sound, Huntsville, Bancroft, Perth and Brockville.
4 to 6 mm: Shelburne, Orangeville, Bracebridge, Orillia, Midland and Kingston.
2 to 4 mm: Belleville, Peterborough, Cobourg, Oshawa, Markham, Newmarket, Barrie, Barry's Bay, Renfrew, Ottawa and Cornwall.
Trace to 2 mm: Tobermory, Wiarton, Owen Sound, Hanover, Collingwood, Listowel, Georgetown, Toronto and Oakville.
To help you prepare for your travel plans, we have decided to issue a Travel Outlook for the next two days. Our new style of travel outlook contains the highways that will be impacted due to the freezing rain. This type of outlook will be used during all future winter weather events.
Poor travel conditions are expected across Central and Eastern Ontario this afternoon into Thursday morning due to freezing rain and ice pellets. As the freezing rain and ice pellets transition to snow tomorrow, the snow may be heavy at times and cause poor visibility. Poor travel is expected along Highways 7, 11, 12, 15, 28, 41, 60, 62, 400, 401, 416 and 417.
Areas in the caution level through portions of Eastern Ontario and portions of the GTA can expect lighter freezing rain, and snow is expected on Thursday. The snow may be heavy at times through these areas as well, potentially creating poor visibility. Highways impacted will include Highways 11, 12, 400 and 401.
The rest of the region has been placed under the fair level due to snow expected on Thursday. These areas include all of Southwestern and Midwestern Ontario, portions of the GTHA, and the Golden Horseshoe. The snow may be heavy at times through these areas as well, potentially creating poor visibility. The main highway impacted will be Highway 401, and potentially Highway 403.
Forecast updates will be provided if deemed necessary.