Update 3: Monday Morning Environment Canada keeps rainfall warning, and the Freezing Rain Warning is lifted. Driving last evening as the trees glistened with ice coated limbs, it created a wonderland. However, the weight of the ice broke limbs.
Rainfall Warning
Issued at 4:53 AM: Monday, August 16, 2018
Significant rainfall gradually tapering off today.
Rain at times heavy is affecting a good portion of Southern Ontario this morning, along with some residual freezing rain near or north of the Oak Ridges Moraine. Rainfall amounts in the 20 to 30 mm range are likely by the times it tapers off from west to east today.
Extra care should be taken during this morning's commute. Standing water may be potentially hazardous on poorly drained roads and highways due to the weekend ice accumulation.
Please clear drainage basins of ice buildup in urban centres. This will assist in more effective water flow and may prevent basement flooding.
Localized flooding in low-lying areas is possible. Keep children and pets away from creeks and river banks.
Update 2: April 15/18
Update 2: Sunday Afternoon: Environment Canada forecasts the Freezing Rain warning to the late Sunday evening. The Rainfall warning is expected to last until Mid-Monday.
This isn't over yet, even though as I look out my window it appears to be calming down.
Down at the Oakville Pier, water constantly covers the walkway as huge waves crash over. It is amazing to see. Even on the opposite side of the harbour's outlet, the water is cresting over the embankment and encroaching on to the parking lot.
Freezing Rain Warning
Issued at 13:21 Sunday 15 April 2018
More freezing rain this morning and early this afternoon with some power outages likely.
The ice buildup may be in the 5 to 10 mm range. Strong winds with gusts to 70 or 80 km/h combined with these ice accumulations will likely cause some power outages due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected on untreated roads , worsened by fallen tree limbs.
The temperature will rise from minus 2 this morning to plus one by early Sunday evening. Environment Canada has classified this as a potentially historic event.
Rainfall Warning
Issued at 11:30 Sunday 15 April 2018
Significant rainfall tonight.
Following a appreciable freezing rain event, a round of heavy rainfall is expected tonight. The rain may fall heavily at times with amounts likely in the 20 to 25 mm range. Some additional rainfall is likely into Monday, albeit lighter. Total rainfall amounts for Sunday night into Monday may be in the 25 to 35 mm range.
First Update: Sunday 15 2018 at 9:30 AM
Please clear drainage basins of ice buildup in more urban areas. This will assist in more effective water flow and may prevent basement flooding.
Once temperatures rise over Sunday and into Monday. We'll experience a deluge of rain. The rainfall warning is forecast to end by noon on Monday. By 2 PM Monday, temperatures are forecast to rise to plus 7.
Here are the the two weather warnings:
Freezing Rain
Issued at 05:13 Sunday 15 April 2018
A potentially historic ice storm expected this weekend. Significant power outages likely.
Following yesterday's initial round of ice pellets and freezing rain, the more significant freezing rain event is about to get underway. It will likely begin as ice pellets once again but change to freezing rain this morning and persist until it changes to rain later this afternoon.
The additional ice buildup won't be as severe as earlier expected - perhaps 10 to at most 15 mm. However, strong winds gusting to 70 to locally 80 km/h in combination with the ice accumulation will likely still result in many power outages due to fallen trees limbs and power lines.
Dangerous winter driving conditions are expected on untreated roads, worsened by fallen tree limbs.
Is this winter weather going to come to an end? It appears not. Freezing rain combined with heavy rainfall is forecast to start today and last thru Sunday.
Rainfall
Issued at 05:41 Sunday 15 April 2018
Significant rainfall tonight.
Following a appreciable freezing rain event, a round of heavy rainfall is expected tonight. The rain may fall heavily at times with amounts likely in the 20 to 25 mm range. Some additional rainfall is likely into Monday, albeit lighter. Total rainfall amounts for Sunday night into Monday may be in the 25 to 35 mm range.
Please clear drainage basins of ice buildup in more urban areas. This will assist in more effective water flow and may prevent basement flooding.
Original Release: April 12, 2018
Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Thursday, April 12, 2018 at 4:55 AM.
If you live closer to Lake Ontario, the potential of freezing rain is lessened, but for the rest of town it doesn't look very good.
According to the Weather Network a minimum of 38 mm of rain is expected to start today Thursday and last until Sunday evening. Maximum rainfall could reach 80 mm. With this much water coming down streams and creeks will be running high and fast, so be careful.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of plus 15 and a low of minus one.
Here is Environment Canada's Special Weather Statement issued April 12th at 4:33 AM:
Potential brief freezing rain this morning. Potential ice storm in some areas Saturday into Sunday morning. Heavy rain potential Sunday.
A fast-moving low pressure system will cross Southern Ontario today bringing an area of rain with it. The precipitation may start as freezing rain this morning before quickly changing to rain as temperatures rise above the freezing mark. Any freezing rain that occurs is expected to light. Closer to the Lake Ontario shoreline, only rain is expected.
A much more significant freezing rain threat appears likely for many areas starting Saturday into Sunday morning as a slow-moving low pressure system approaches the area. Precipitation may start as rain, but increasing northeasterly winds will draw colder air from an arctic high pressure system to the north, resulting in a changeover to freezing rain during the day Saturday. The freezing rain is expected to change back to rain possibly heavy at times Sunday morning as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.
As this storm system is still a few days away, there is uncertainty regarding its severity. However, areas closer to Lake Ontario may remain slightly milder on Saturday with a changeover to freezing rain not expected until later in the day. As a result, freezing rain amounts in these regions may be less than in other areas.
Ice accumulations in excess of 20 mm will be possible in some places. Ice accumulations of this magnitude combined with gusty northeast winds may result in widespread power outages due to fallen tree limbs and power lines.