Freezing rain is possible on Christmas Day, as a special weather statement remains in effect in Chatham-Kent.
Environment Canada forecasters say a pleasant white Christmas will take place for most folks, but a stormier, very mild Boxing Day is in the works.
“While Christmas Day will be quiet with light winds and considerable sunshine in most locales, a Colorado storm is forecast to head towards Northern Ontario for Boxing Day,” Environment Canada officials stated.
“This will bring rain and near record mild temperatures Monday for most of Southern Ontario. It is expected to start as some freezing rain overnight Christmas night into early Boxing Day morning for parts of the Golden Horseshoe, the Kitchener to Barrie corridor, and Central Ontario.”
Any freezing rain for Eastern Ontario should begin later in the morning on Boxing Day.
Freezing rain warnings are highly likely, and would be issued on Christmas Day as the event approaches.
“It should be pointed out that this is not an ice storm,” forecasters say.
“Although it may linger for a few hours in some areas, ice accumulation will be light, with no related power outages. The only issue is travel-related: Untreated, bare roads will likely be icy and slippery Monday morning before the changeover to rain. Please adjust your driving plans if possible, given the likelihood of some freezing rain.”
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm.
