What does Mother Nature have against Spring this year?
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for all of southern Ontario, including the Kawarthas, warning of a potential ice storm this weekend.
A fast-moving low pressure system will cross Southern Ontario today (April 11) bringing an area of rain with it. The precipitation may start as freezing rain this morning, before quickly changing to rain as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.
Over higher terrain areas, the freezing rain may last a bit longer. Closer to the Lake Ontario shore, only rain is expected.
A much more significant freezing rain event is looking increasingly likely for portions of southern Ontario on Saturday and Sunday (April 14 and 15) as a slow-moving low pressure system approaches the area.
Precipitation may start 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 or ice pellets. A few rounds of precipitation are likely during this period with a significant threat of prolonged freezing rain in some areas.
At this point, there is still considerable uncertainty with regards to which areas may be most affected. Areas closer to Lake Ontario may remain slightly milder on Saturday with a changeover to freezing rain possibly delayed until later in the day.
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.
Some regional outdoor events will be cancelled or postponed because of the forecast. For example, the annual Float Your Fanny Down the Ganny event in Port Hope originally scheduled for Saturday, April 14th has been moved to the following Saturday (April 21).
Freezing rain is expected to change to rain possibly heavy at times on Sunday as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.
