Environment Canada is warning that a “potent” spring ice storm will likely hit a huge swath of Ontario starting Friday evening and extending into Monday.
The agency has issued special weather statements calling for “significant ice accretion” from freezing rain, covering the central and northeastern parts of the province, including in Toronto, with snowy weather also expected in the northwest.
The weather advisories are forecasting accumulations of five to 15 centimeters of precipitation and warn of potential utility outages, slippery roads and broken tree branches.
Environment Canada says the areas that might see the maximum ice accretion are yet to be known.
But it reports the “confidence is highest” for areas between Parry Sound and Kingston to bear the brunt of an extensive stretch of freezing rain.
The agency says weather warnings will be issued as the storm nears and asks Ontarians to stay alert.
