Environment Canada has issued multiple weather warnings for freezing rain and rainfall in the Kawarthas region starting Tuesday night (March 10) and lasting through Wednesday.
“Orange” warnings for freezing rain are in effect for Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands. An orange warning is for severe weather likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts, with major widespread impacts that may last for a few days.
“Yellow” warnings for rainfall are in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, with yellow warnings for freezing rain also in effect for northern Peterborough County and northern Kawartha Lakes. A yellow warning is for hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts, with moderate and localized impacts for the short term.
A series of low pressure systems will lead to significant freezing rain and rainfall across parts of southern Ontario, with precipitation beginning Tuesday night or Wednesday morning and lasting through Wednesday or Wednesday night.
Temperatures will hover near the freezing mark and may result in northern parts of the region receiving only freezing rain, while parts of the region further south will transition from freezing rain to rainfall and the southernmost parts of the region will only receive rain.
Some areas across eastern Ontario closer to the St. Lawrence River may rise above the freezing mark Wednesday afternoon, which would lessen the amount of ice build up in these areas.
In Haliburton County and Hastings Highlands, there may be a prolonged period of freezing rain — possibly up to 24 hours for some areas — with ice accretion of 10 to 20 mm. Prolonged utility outages and significant damage to property, including some buildings and trees, are likely due to the weight of ice.
In northern Peterborough County and northern Kawarthas Lakes, a period of freezing rain lasting several hours may result in ice accretion of 2 to 5 mm before changing over to rain, with rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm possible. Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. Local utility outages are possible.
In southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County, rainfall amounts of 20 to 40 mm are expected, with locally higher amounts possible in areas that receive thunderstorms. As the saturated or frozen ground will have little ability to absorb this rainfall, water will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas.
