Bus cancellations, schools closed amid freezing rain in Ont.

Tuesday, January 17, 2017, 7:45 AM - Freezing rain warnings span southern Ontario Tuesday morning, with school closures, transit delays and bus cancellations in effect for several regions.

"Freezing rain will change to rain this morning for parts of southwestern Ontario and this afternoon for the Golden Horseshoe," says Environment Canada. "Freezing rain accretion of 2 to 5 mm is possible on untreated surfaces. Higher amounts are possible in the Dundalk Highlands, where freezing rain is expected to persist into this evening."

See below for a breakdown of what to expect.

Highlights

• GTA freezing rain risk expected to end after 9 a.m. as temperatures rise above zero. Icy precipitation may linger northeast of the city toward Orangeville into the early afternoon.
• Hamilton Public Schools are closed. Hamilton Catholic schools are open, but buses are cancelled.
• Buses cancelled for Halton District and Halton Catholic DSB, Dufferin-Peel Catholic DSB, Peel DSB, Waterloo Region DSB, Toronto Catholic DSB, York DSB, Durham DSB and Durham Catholic DSB.
• Pearson Airport reporting over 75 cancelled incoming flights, with more than 60 cancelled outgoing flights Tuesday morning.
• Halton Regional Police reports more than a dozen collisions have occurred north of Halton since 4 a.m.
• The bulls-eye for longest-lived freezing rain east of Toronto stretches from east of Lake Simcoe through Belleville, where higher elevation will help the icy precipitation linger into Tuesday evening.
• Eastern Ontario to see freezing rain as well as snow for the Ottawa Valley. Areas from Renfrew through Montreal to see 5-8 cm of snow.
• Special weather statement in effect for Algonquin and Burk's Falls for snow and ice pellets Tuesday afternoon and evening.
• Weak drizzle pre-dawn Wednesday, with some fog in behind for the morning commute.

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People who are travelling during the period of freezing rain should be prepared for a difficult journey. If you're on the roads, be prepared to leave early and drive to the conditions.

"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve," adds Environment Canada. "There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas. Beware of branches or electrical wires that could break under the weight of ice. Utility outages may occur."

The freezing rain wouldn't be possible without temperatures at or near the zero mark, and in fact, people in southern Ontario will soon be getting their share of a January thaw that is set to spread over much of the country.

Currently, temperatures look to reach as high as the mid-single digits, though a return to seasonal beckons.

"A system tracking south of the Lakes brings some rain Friday night to southern Ontario," says The Weather Network's Dr. Doug Gillham. "Fair and mild weekend, with a large and slow-moving system tracking south of the Lakes early next week. Looks like a favourable track for wintry weather. The lack of Arctic air means mostly rain for Ontario and Quebec."

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