Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Residents of Ottawa and Gatineau have been warned of potentially hazardous weather as Environment Canada predicts a significant bout of freezing rain starting Sunday evening. The agency has issued an orange-level warning for the region, covering most of eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
According to Environment Canada, the freezing rain is expected to begin Sunday night and persist into Monday morning, with ice accumulation estimated between 15 and 20 millimetres. Authorities cautioned that travel could become treacherous and power outages may be prolonged, urging people to postpone non-essential trips.
The warning also includes surrounding communities such as Cornwall, Pembroke, Renfrew, Perth, Gananoque, and Bancroft, as well as the entire Outaouais region. Meanwhile, areas including Kingston, Napanee, and Belleville are under a yellow-level advisory.
Environment Canada recently updated its weather alert system to a colour-coded format, designed to better reflect international standards recommended by the World Meteorological Organization. The system now features three levels of severity: yellow, orange, and red, with orange indicating a high level of risk to safety and property.
Officials urge residents to stay updated on weather conditions, limit travel during the storm, and take precautions against ice-related hazards.
