Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for all of Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Hastings County, a special weather statement for heavy rain in southern Peterborough County and southern Kawartha Lakes, and a rainfall warning for Northumberland County for Tuesday afternoon and evening (February 22).
Freezing rain is expected to develop late Tuesday morning or early afternoon and persist for several hours before transitioning to rain late in the afternoon. Ice accretion is expected, with significant ice accretion amounts of 5 to 10 mm possible in Haliburton and Hastings counties.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous. Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions. Beware of branches or electrical wires that could break under the weight of ice. Utility outages may occur.
In southern Peterborough County and southern Kawartha Lakes, freezing rain will transition to rain, at times heavy, as the temperatures rise above zero Tuesday afternoon. Up to 20 mm of rain is possible.
In Northumberland County, a rainfall warning is in effect. Freezing rain is also possible Tuesday morning and early afternoon. Total rainfall amounts of 20 to 30 mm are possible, with the highest amounts falling in the afternoon and into the early evening hours.
The frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall. Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Watch for possible washouts near rivers, creeks and culverts. Keep children and pets away from creeks and river banks.
All school vehicles to schools in Kawartha Lakes and Haliburton for Trillium Lakelands District School Board have been cancelled for Tuesday. In addition, the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit has cancelled all mass immunization clinics and school clinics, including in Lindsay, Cobourg, and Fenelon Falls.
