Toronto under freezing rain warning with 'wintry mix of precipitation' in forecast tonight
Precipitation could begin as rain before turning into freezing rain and ice pellets, agency says
Environment Canada says Toronto should brace for freezing rain overnight.
The federal weather agency issued a freezing rain warning for the city on Thursday, predicting that the icy precipitation would begin at night and continue until early Friday.
There could be ice pellets with the freezing rain, the agency said.
"Freezing rain conditions may last through the overnight hours in some areas before changing to freezing drizzle or light snow by early Friday morning," Environment Canada said in the warning.
Any ice buildup on surfaces initially may be minimal because ground temperature may be above zero, the federal weather agency said.
A few millimetres of ice buildup is possible, however.
Highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become ice and slippery, the federal weather agency says.
Motorists and pedestrians are urged to be careful.
"Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," Environment Canada says in the warning.
Warming centres open as wintry weather returns
The City of Toronto, meanwhile, said in a news release it has opened its four warming centres on Thursday night for people experiencing homelessness.
One of the centres, however, has limited space due to a previous booking for the site.
All of the warming centres offer a warm place to rest indoors and snacks, washrooms and referrals to emergency shelters, the city said.
The locations are:
- Scarborough Civic Centre, 150 Borough Dr., opened at 7 p.m.
- Metro Hall, 55 John St., opened at 7 p.m.
- Mitchell Field Community Centre, 89 Church Ave., opened at 7 p.m.
- Cecil Community Centre, 58 Cecil St., opened at 7 p.m. but with limited space. The city says the centre will be fully open by 7 a.m. on Friday. "Warming Centre staff will be onsite to welcome any clients who arrive this evening, and people who wish to move to another Warming Centre will be provided assistance with transportation," the city said.