London and the surrounding area is in for a “messy mix” of winter weather, that’ll bring a combo of snow, ice pellets, and freezing rain starting overnight.
A special weather statement from Environment Canada says the city, Komoka, Parkhill, Strathroy, and Middlesex County can expect between 2-4 centimeters worth of snow and ice pellets to touch down just past midnight and into Tuesday morning.
Meteorologist Ryan Rozinskis says that’ll transition into freezing rain in the morning, which is expected to last several hours.
“And then temperatures will rise above the freezing mark, changing that freezing rain over to rain in the afternoon.”
Rozinskis expects the transition to happen mid-afternoon, as temperatures lift above the freezing mark on a way to a high of 3 C around dinner-time. But that doesn’t necessarily mean ice build up on roads, highways, and sidewalks will have time to melt before the afternoon commute, Rozinskis warns.
“Some of the surfaces may be a little bit cooler, so it may take some time for all the ice to melt off the surfaces,” he said. “You want to exercise caution when driving in winter conditions, leaving extra space, or if you don’t have to be on the road, it’s probably better to stay home and work from home.”
Temperatures will start to taper off again, and Rozinskis says the rain is expected to turn into snow that’ll continue throughout Tuesday night and deliver another 5 cm. Light snow on Wednesday is expected to bring another 2-4 cm to the region.
Monday mornings commute will likely be more smooth; Environment Canada says there’s a risk of freezing drizzle and a small chance of snow in the forecast. But it’s also expected to be windy, with daytime gusts blowing up to 50 kilometres per hour and up to 60 kilometres per hour Monday night and Tuesday.
The freezing rain comes from a Colorado low that will cross Southern Ontario Tuesday and Wednesday. Environment Canada says it may issue a freezing rain warning.