Environment Canada has issued both a winter storm warning for northern portions of the Kawarthas, with snow beginning on Saturday (April 14), and a freezing rain warning for southern portions of the Kawarthas, with freezing rain expected on Saturday and Sunday (April 15).
Winter storm warning
A winter storm warning is in place for Haliburton and southern Haliburton County and Bancroft and Hastings County, with significant snow with ice pellets expected on Saturday (April 14) into tonight, followed by mixed precipitation on Sunday.
Rain is expected to change to snow and ice pellets this morning, with brief freezing rain possible during the changeover. Total snow and ice pellet amounts of 15 to 20 cm are likely by tonight. In addition, strong northeast winds will gust to near 60 km/h giving local blowing snow and reduced visibilities.
The snow is expected to end Saturday evening changing to patchy freezing drizzle in its wake. Sunday morning another round of ice pellets will move into the region quickly changing over to freezing rain later in the morning. The freezing rain will change to over to rain Sunday evening. Significant ice build up is possible on Sunday.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are likely as untreated roads will become snow covered and slippery.
Freezing rain warning
A freezing rain warning is in place for Peterborough and southern Peterborough County, Lindsay and southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, with an ice storm forecast for Sunday.
As a moisture-laden low pressure system moves over the lower Great Lakes this weekend, brisk northeasterly winds will bring in cold Arctic air and force temperatures below freezing Saturday morning (April 14).
The rain will change to freezing rain in the morning then quickly turn into ice pellets. A significant accumulation of ice pellets is likely.
A lull in precipitation is likely this evening with patchy freezing drizzle expected. However, as the low approaches tonight, freezing rain and ice pellets will likely become widespread again and persist most of Sunday before changing over to rain later in the day. Significant rain may fall late Sunday and Sunday night creating localized flooding.
An ice buildup up to 15 mm appears likely by late Sunday. It may exceed that in some locales. Strong winds gusting to 60 km/h are also expected tonight and Sunday.
The combination of ice accumulation and strong winds may result in power outages due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected on untreated roads Saturday and Sunday, worsened by fallen tree limbs.
