Orange Warning – Freezing Rain for Kemptville, Merrickville-Wolford, Smiths Falls: Significant Freezing Rain Event Expected Wednesday

Brockville – Environment Canada has issued a Orange Warning – Freezing Rain for North Grenville, Kemptville, Merrickville-Wolford, Smiths Falls, Ottawa South and Cornwall.

Significant freezing rain event expected Wednesday. Beginning tonight or early Wednesday morning and lasting through Wednesday or Wednesday night. Prolonged period of freezing rain. Possibly up to 24 hours for some areas. Ice accretion or build up of 10 to 20 mm.

A series of low pressure systems will lead to significant freezing rain across parts of southern Ontario. Freezing rain may fall heavily at times. In this case, the precipitation may not freeze immediately, which may lead to localized flooding in low lying areas.

Some areas across eastern Ontario closer to the St. Lawrence River may rise above the freezing mark Wednesday afternoon, which would lessen the amount of ice build up in these areas.

Roads and walkways will likely become icy and slippery. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic. Prolonged utility outages are likely. Significant damage to property, including some buildings and trees, is likely due to the weight of ice.

Be very careful if walking or driving. Stay away from fallen power lines.

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ONstorm@ec.gc.ca or post reports on X using #ONStorm.