Environment Canada has issued a “yellow warning” for wind in the southern Kawarthas region for Monday (December 29), along with a special weather statement for wind in the northern Kawarthas region — possibly exacerbating the impact of freezing rain falling in the region on Sunday.

Strong southwesterly winds are expected to develop Monday morning with the passage of a strong cold front. The winds will become northwesterly through the afternoon. The winds will ease through Monday evening.

A yellow wind warning is in effect for southern Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes (including both southern and northern Kawartha Lakes), and Northumberland County. A special weather statement for wind is in effect for northern Peterborough County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.

Areas with the yellow wind warning can expect to see strong wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h, except in Northumberland County which can expect wind gusts of 80 to 90 km/h and up to 100 km/h near Lake Ontario on Monday afternoon. Areas with the special weather statement for wind will see wind gusts up to 70 km/h.

In addition to the yellow wind warning, Environment Canada previously issued two additional yellow warnings for the southern Kawarthas region (southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County): one for freezing rain with 5 to 15 mm of ice accretion into early Monday morning and one for rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm into early Monday morning.

In the northern Kawarthas region (northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands), Environment Canada has issued an orange warning for freezing rain, with 15 to 20 mm of ice accretion (build-up) into early Monday morning, in addition to a special weather statement for wind — except in northern Kawartha Lakes, where there is a yellow warning for wind.

The strong wind gusts on Monday could worsen the impact of freezing rain in the region on Sunday, especially in areas with significant ice build-up, likely resulting in prolonged utility outages.

The good news is that temperatures will rise overnight above freezing, with the freezing rain changing mostly to rain in the southern parts of the region by early Monday morning, although a risk of freezing rain or freezing drizzle remains.

The precipitation will then change to flurries early Monday morning and, as temperatures drop below freezing throughout the day, there will be flurries with a risk of snow squalls in some areas.

Several municipalities in the Kawarthas region have declared a “significant weather event” in response to significant freezing rain forecast for Sunday (December 28), including the City of Peterborough, the City of Kawarthas Lakes, and Haliburton County (including the Township of Minden Hills, the Township of Algonquin Highlands, and the Municipality of Dysart et al).

Peterborough County has advised it is actively monitoring the weather forecast and may be declaring a county-wide significant weather event if conditions worsen. Individual townships in Peterborough County have already declared a significant weather event, including the townships of Selwyn, North Kawartha, Asphodel Norwood, Douro Dummer, and the Municipality of Trent Lakes.

Municipalities can declare a significant weather event under a regulation of the Municipal Act, which allows them to deem municipal roadways as being in a “state of repair” when a weather hazard is approaching or occurring and has the potential to pose a significant danger to users of the roadways. The declaration is not a notice of a reduced level of service, but notifies residents to exercise caution and that it may take longer than usual to bring roadways back to a state of repair.

In the southern Kawarthas region (southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County), Environment Canada has issued three “yellow warnings,” one for freezing rain with 5 to 15 mm of ice accretion (build-up) into early Monday morning, one for rainfall amounts of 10 to 15 mm into early Monday morning, and one for strong wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h beginning Monday morning and easing in the evening.

In the northern Kawarthas region (northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands), Environment Canada has issued an “orange warning” for freezing rain, with 15 to 20 mm of ice accretion (build-up) into early Monday morning, as well as a special weather statement for strong wind gusts up to 70 km/h beginning Monday morning. For northern Kawartha Lakes, a “yellow warning” is in place for for strong wind gusts of 70 to 90 km/h beginning Monday morning.

Prolonged utility outages are possible, especially in areas experiencing significant ice build-up from freezing rain on Sunday and strong wind gusts on Monday.

The City of Peterborough has also announced that some city facilities closed at 4 p.m. on Sunday, including the Peterborough Memorial Centre, Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre, Peterborough Museum and Archives, the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Riverview Park and Zoo, and Peterborough Public Library.

Many of the facilities will remain closed on Monday morning until conditions have been assessed, except for the Peterborough Sport and Wellness Centre and Miskin Law Community Complex, which are scheduled to reopen at 7 a.m. for scheduled uses. Both facilities have public spaces that will be available as warming centres and to charge devices, if necessary due to utility outages.

The Peterborough Public Library is expected to open as scheduled at 10 a.m. on Monday, and the Peterborough County-City landfill on Bensfort Road is expected to be open for its regularly scheduled operating hours from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on Monday. City Hall and the Art Gallery of Peterborough are closed on Monday as part of their modified holiday schedules.

Haliburton County has announced its administration office will be closed on Monday.

With memories still fresh of the spring ice storm, many residents across the Kawarthas region have been busy over the weekend preparing for the severe weather, including by purchasing supplies, road salt, gas, and generators.

In some hardware stores, including both Canadian Tire locations in Peterborough, generators were sold out early Sunday morning. There were also line-ups at gas stations, with some selling out of fuel.

Environment Canada has now issued a number of freezing rain warnings and rainfall warnings for the Kawarthas region beginning Sunday afternoon (December 28) and continuing into early Monday morning.

“Yellow” freezing rain and rainfall warnings are in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawartha Lakes, and Northumberland County. In these areas, ice accretion of 5 to 15 mm is expected, along with rainfall for total rain and freezing rain amounts of 15 to 30 mm.

“Orange” freezing rain warnings are in effect for northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands. In these areas, ice accretion of 15 to 20 mm is expected.

Freezing rain will begin Sunday afternoon transitioning to rain Sunday evening. Rain and freezing rain will be heavy at times through the afternoon and evening. The rain will ease early Monday morning.

Roads and walkways may become icy and slippery. Prolonged utility outages are possible, with the likelihood increasing in areas with higher ice accretion. In those areas, significant damage to property, including some buildings and trees, is possible due to the weight of ice.

Travel will likely be hazardous and some routes will likely be impassable. Non-essential travel should be avoided.

In areas with rainfall warnings, the frozen ground has a reduced ability to absorb this rainfall. Rainfall, combined with melting snow, will likely pool on roads and in low-lying areas. Avoid low-lying areas. Watch for washouts near rivers, creeks, and culverts.

Environment Canada recently launched new colour-coded alerts for weather advisories, watches, and warnings.

Yellow alerts, which are the most common, indicate hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are moderate, localized, and/or short-term.

Orange alerts, which are uncommon, indicate severe weather that is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are major, widespread. and/or may last a few days.

Red alerts, which are rare, indicate very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption. Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged.

Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for the entire Kawarthas region for a long-lasting period of freezing rain beginning on Sunday (December 28).

The special weather statement is in effect for Peterborough County, Kawartha Lakes, Northumberland County, Haliburton County, and Hastings Highlands.

A rapidly intensifying low-pressure system is expected to track over the Great Lakes, bringing freezing rain to the region beginning Sunday afternoon or evening. The freezing rain will persist through Monday morning before transitioning to rain showers or flurries.

Ice accretion amounts of 5 to 10 mm are possible across most of the Kawarthas, with 10 to 15 mm possible in Hastings Highlands. Local utility outages are possible. Travel conditions are expected to be difficult. Ice-covered surfaces are likely.

As temperatures are expected to be fairly close to the freezing mark, it is possible some areas will receive rain Sunday afternoon and evening.

“There remains some uncertainty regarding the track of the low pressure system and as a result exact ice accretion amounts are somewhat uncertain,” Environment Canada states.

Environment Canada has upgraded its special weather statement for possible significant snow in the southern Kawarthas region to a “yellow” snowfall warning starting on Friday afternoon (December 26).

The snowfall warning is in effect for southern Peterborough County, southern Kawarthas Lakes, and Northumberland County.

In addition, Environment Canada has now issued a special weather statement for possible significant snow for northern Peterborough County, northern Kawartha Lakes, and southern Haliburton County.

Snow is expected to begin late Friday morning, with snowfall amounts of 8 to 12 cm possible in the southern parts of the region and up to 10 cm in the northern parts of the region.

Snow may be locally heavy at times during the Friday afternoon hours and reduce visibility before the snow ends from west to east through Friday evening. Travel may be difficult due to the accumulating snow. Motorists should exercise caution and adjust plans accordingly, allowing extra time for travel.

“There is still some uncertainty regarding the track of the low pressure system, which may impact the eastern edge of the significant snowfall regions,” Environment Canada states.

Environment Canada recently launched new colour-coded alerts for weather advisories, watches, and warnings.

Yellow alerts, which are the most common, indicate hazardous weather that may cause damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are moderate, localized, and/or short-term.

Orange alerts, which are uncommon, indicate severe weather that is likely to cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts. Impacts are major, widespread. and/or may last a few days.

Red alerts, which are rare, indicate very dangerous and possibly life-threatening weather will cause extreme damage and disruption. Impacts are extensive, widespread, and prolonged.