Published on Mar. 29, 2025, 5:48 PM
Round one of Ontario's spring ice storm wrapped up late Saturday morning, but round two is hot on its heels.
A potent and prolonged spring storm made its way into Ontario during the overnight hours on Friday.
Northeastern Ontario and parts of eastern Ontario received a hefty helping of late-March snow during the overnight, but it’s the freezing rain in central Ontario that has been stealing the show.
Freezing rain moved into central Ontario early Saturday, leading to significant ice accretion on outdoor surfaces, including trees and power lines. Over 50,000 Hydro One customers lost power Saturday morning across the Barrie, Orillia, and Peterborough areas.
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The Ontario Provincial Police have also reported numerous vehicle collisions on Highway 401, near Kingston. Luckily, no major injuries have been reported as of early Saturday afternoon.
Ontario, Quebec Saturday afternoon power outages - March 29, 2025
Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued widespread freezing rain warnings across Ontario, including Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Ottawa, and the Greater Toronto Area. “Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas,” the agency advises. “ Slow down driving in slippery conditions. Watch for taillights ahead and maintain a safe following distance.”
There is expected to be a brief break in the icy weather on Saturday afternoon, before a second system pushes into the province in the evening and brings yet another round of freezing rain. This second round of freezing rain won’t be as prolonged, however, as the icy boundary between warm and cold air shifts northward through Sunday, pushing the icy precipitation into southern Quebec.