

Codi Wilson, CP24.com





Toronto, Hamilton and the GTA are bracing for some messy weather tonight ahead of the arrival of a system that is expected to bring snow, rain and freezing rain to the region.

A freezing rain warning has been issued for Toronto and Hamilton, as well as Halton, Peel, York and Durham regions.

Rain is expected to begin in Toronto late this afternoon and will likely change to snow mixed with ice pellets this afternoon. Freezing rain is then expected to begin early Thursday morning.

“A cold front is expected to move to the south of the region this morning then stall over regions near Lake Erie later today into Thursday. Meanwhile, a strong Colorado low is expected to track northeast along the line of the front, with precipitation from this system arriving today as a cold rain over southern sections or some snow mixed with ice pellets further north and east,” a statement on Environment Canada’s website says.

“As cold air continues to feed in from the northeast, temperatures will drop to zero or below by this evening, and a broad band of freezing rain is expected to develop as a result. The band of freezing rain will likely linger over the regions well into Thursday as stiff northeasterly winds continue to pump in a fresh supply of cold arctic air.”

The national weather agency warns that the mixed precipitation could cause power outages and have significant impacts on transportation.

Meanwhile, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is warning residents that there could be “hazardous conditions” near bodies of water as a result.

“This significant amount of precipitation for today and tomorrow will result in higher than normal water levels and flows in Greater Toronto Area rivers and streams,” a statement from the organization says. “The combination of slippery and unstable banks, unsafe ice and cold water temperature will create hazardous conditions close to any river, stream or other water body.”

While the freezing rain is expected to slowly change over to rain in the GTA on Thursday morning, Environment Canada says that it may persist into Thursday evening in area further to the east.

In anticipation of the freezing rain, Toronto Hydro says extra crews will be on standby tonight.

"We’re telling our customers that power outages are possible, so they should be ready with an emergency preparedness kit," Tori Gass, a spokesperson for Toronto Hydro said in an emailed statement to CP24.

The city has also taken steps to prepare for the conditions.

Speaking with CP24 Wednesday night, manager of road operations Hector Moreno said that 200 salters are on standby to be deployed as soon as the rain changes to freezing rain or snow.