Significant Freezing Rain Warning Issued for Merrickville-Wolford and Kemptville
Environment Canada has issued an orange warning for a prolonged freezing rain event expected to bring up to 20 mm of ice accretion to parts of southern Ontario through Wednesday night.
Alert Details
Environment Canada has issued an orange freezing rain warning for the region. This significant weather event is expected to bring a prolonged period of freezing rain, potentially lasting up to 24 hours in some areas.
Affected Areas
The warning specifically covers the Merrickville-Wolford and Kemptville areas in southern Ontario. Officials note that while significant ice is expected, some areas closer to the St. Lawrence River in eastern Ontario may see temperatures rise above the freezing mark on Wednesday afternoon, which could mitigate total ice accumulation in those specific locations.
What You Should Do
Residents are advised to exercise extreme caution as roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. Significant impacts on rush hour traffic are anticipated. Residents should prepare for prolonged utility outages and potential property damage. To report severe weather, you can email ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using the hashtag #ONStorm. Continue to monitor local alerts and forecasts for updates.
Expected Conditions
- Ice Accretion: 10 to 20 mm of ice build-up is expected.
- Hazards: Heavy freezing rain may lead to localized flooding in low-lying areas if the precipitation does not freeze immediately.
- Impacts: Significant damage to trees and buildings is likely due to the weight of the ice. Utility outages are expected to be widespread and prolonged.
Timeline
The event is forecast to begin tonight or early Wednesday morning, March 11. The freezing rain is expected to persist through Wednesday or Wednesday night. The current alert is effective through 7:17 PM on Wednesday.
Source: ECCC Official Notice