Winter Weather Warning In Effect for Halton

Published April 11, 2018 at 1:54 pm

We regret to inform you that a bona fide winter weather statement has been issued for Halton and Peel (meaning Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills).

We regret to inform you that a bona fide winter weather statement has been issued for Halton and Peel (meaning Mississauga, Brampton, Caledon, Burlington, Oakville, Milton and Halton Hills).

It’s not news anyone wants to hear.

Environment Canada says that some freezing rain (ugh!) is possible Thursday morning.

There’s also the potential for an ice storm in some parts of Southern Ontario Saturday and Sunday.

The weather agency says a fast-moving low pressure system will cross Southern Ontario Thursday, bringing an area of rain with it.

Sadly, the precipitation may start off as freezing rain early in the morning before quickly changing to rain as temperatures rise above the freezing mark (which is, of course, great news).

“Any freezing rain should be fairly brief near the Highway 401 corridor, but may persist for a couple of hours for regions farther north and especially over higher terrain,” Environment Canada says. “Locally slippery conditions are possible. Closer to the Lake Ontario shoreline, only rain is expected.”

Sadly, the weekend won’t be pleasant. 

Environment Canada says “a much more significant freezing rain event is looking increasingly likely for portions of Southern Ontario Saturday and Sunday as a slow-moving low pressure system approaches the area.”

“Precipitation may start out as rain, but increasing northeasterly winds will draw colder air from an arctic high pressure system to the north, resulting in a changeover to freezing rain. A few rounds of precipitation are likely during this period with a significant threat of prolonged freezing rain in some areas.”

It’s hard to know exactly which areas will be affected, but areas closer to Lake Ontario and near the Highway 401 corridor may remain just above the freezing mark (meaning less–if any–ice buildup).

That said, Environment Canada says this “has the potential to be a major ice storm for some regions with ice accumulations in excess of 20 millimetres possible.”

Ice accumulations of this magnitude combined with gusty winds to 60 km/h may result in widespread power outages due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.

Travel is also expected to be hazardous.

So there you have it. You might want to prepare for the worst this weekend.

Here’s hoping for some nicer weather in May.

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