GTA sees freezing rain, icy conditions during morning rush hour

Parts of the GTA remain under a freezing rain warning this morning as Environment Canada warns of slippery driving conditions today.

The freezing rain warning is in effect for areas east and north of Toronto, including Pickering, Oshawa, Newmarket, Georgina, and Barrie.

School bus cancellations were reported in Durham Region earlier this morning due to the inclement weather.

“A low pressure system is approaching southern Ontario and will bring a mixture of precipitation to the area,” Environment Canada wrote in its weather advisory.

“Precipitation is expected to begin as freezing rain or rain this morning. The freezing rain is expected to transition to rain or drizzle near midday as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.”

Drivers are urged to exercise caution due to slick conditions.

“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery,” the advisory continued.

CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said the freezing rain is expected to continue north of the city until this evening.

Toronto is not expected to see freezing rain but showers are expected today in the city.

“We see these moderate bands of rain through to about 2 p.m. and then it will back off to some drizzle,” Coulter said. “But it is going to be quite active over the next several days.”

Toronto will see a period of mild temperatures over the next few days, with a high of 4 C on Monday, 7 C on Tuesday, and 5 C on Wednesday. Colder temperatures return on Thursday, when the mercury drops down to -5 C on Thursday and -4 C on Friday.