Tuesday is anticipated to be a treacherous day with freezing rain in the forecast, according to Environment Canada. A special weather advisory warns that a low-pressure system will be moving across the area, bringing freezing rain that is expected to start in the morning and persist until the evening, with accumulations of up to five millimeters. The precipitation is likely to be a mix of freezing rain, snow, or ice pellets at times, transitioning to snow later in the day.
The special weather statement highlights the potential for icy and slippery conditions on roads and walkways, cautioning that detecting icy surfaces might be challenging. This freezing rain event follows heavy snowfall on Monday, prompting a snow event declaration in Cambridge.
Temperatures are projected to rise above freezing on Tuesday and continue throughout the week, with rain and a high of 6°C expected on Friday. The forecast indicates overcast skies persisting in the coming days, according to the Environment Canada weather page.
In light of the fluctuating temperatures, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) advises the public to refrain from venturing onto ponds, rivers, or streams due to unsafe conditions. While colder temperatures have allowed ice to form, various factors such as temperature fluctuations, wind, precipitation, and underwater currents significantly impact ice stability.
The GRCA emphasizes that ice surfaces can break easily and should not be used for winter activities, as higher flows weaken ice sheets. Snow accumulation on the ice can conceal weak spots and hinder proper freezing. Ice fishing remains prohibited at GRCA parks, with heightened water levels and flows in the Grand River watershed due to recent warm, wet weather, leading to runoff and increased water levels.
The GRCA’s major reservoirs have been utilized to mitigate downstream flood risks, resulting in elevated water levels expected to persist into the following week as stored runoff is gradually released.