STORM CENTRE: March 28-31, 2025

LAST UPDATE: March 28, 2025 at 8:30 PM

NEXT UPDATE: March 29, 2025 at 5:00 AM

Discussion

A spring ice storm has set its sights of Southern Ontario, bringing impacts from freezing rain to the potential for thunderstorms. Freezing rain will begin developing tonight across Central and Eastern Ontario. This is expected to continue overnight into Saturday, with the potential for a brief break before continuing through the day on Saturday and into Sunday.

Ice accretion amounts are expected to be significant in portions of Central Ontario, including Orillia and Peterborough. In these areas, ice accretion amounts of 25 to 30 millimetres are expected.

It is important to note that events like this can be quite difficult to forecast. If temperatures change by one or two degrees, this can change the forecast drastically. Ice accretion amounts may vary locally, based on factors such as topography.

Due to the large amounts of ice expected from this event, power outages are certainly expected, and some of these may be long lasting due to the ice causing major disruptions to power lines and the power grid as a whole. Slippery road conditions and poor travel are expected, especially on roads that are untreated. Avoid travel if possible, especially in the most affected areas.

There will be a risk for thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday in Southwestern Ontario, and temperatures are even expected to reach over 20ºC on Saturday for some areas. The temperature gradient across the region will be quite impressive, as some areas will remain below freezing still.