Ice storm moves out of GTA, but cold weather on its way

ABOVE: (Dec. 22, 2013) Toronto’s weather outlook for next week.

TORONTO – The worst of the ice storm is over for the GTA, but cold temperatures over the next few days means all the ice will likely hang around.

Though temperatures Sunday night rose above 0 C in and around Toronto, the colder weather is set to move in overnight.

The storm that made its way from Texas and dropped 20 mm or more of freezing rain from Kitchener to Kingston is on its way out.

READ MORE: Freezing rain causes thousands to lose power across southern Ontario

Freezing rain warnings were lifted Sunday afternoon across southern Ontario. A few remain in place for eastern Ontario as the system makes its way east.

On Sunday afternoon, however, Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for southern Ontario warning that southern Ontario is not out of the woods yet.

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Winds of 20 to 40 km/h are expected this afternoon or evening and will continue through Monday. This could make for dangerous conditions for trees already laden with heavy ice.

As well, we may see periods of flurries or freezing drizzle overnight.

READ MORE: Toronto ice storm travel disruptions

Because temperatures will remain below 0 C this evening and overnight, ice on trees, cars, and hydro wires will likely hang around for the next few days.

On Monday the high will be only -3 C, and overnight the mercury will dip to a chilly -15 C, meaning there’s no chance of any melting.

Here are the freezing rain totals from Environment Canada as of 4 p.m. on Sunday:

• Toronto Pearson 20.6 mm
  Trenton 30
  Grimsby 27.7
  Niagara 27.7
  Vaughan 25
  Kingston 20
  Hamilton 20
  Barrie 20
  Brampton 20-30
  Kitchener 15-25
  Cornwall 15
  Downsview 10
  Niagara escarpment 7-8
  Orillia 3-4

Areas farther north received snow rather than freezing rain. Here are the totals for some areas:

• Snowfall totals:
  Ottawa airport 18 cm
  Gatineau airport 12 cm
  Haliburton 10.8 cm
  Orillia 8 cm

The storm is continuing eastward and is already affecting the Maritimes.