Journal staff
Residents are being advised to brace for slick and potentially hazardous conditions as a possible ice storm looms in the forecast this week.
Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for parts of southwestern Ontario, including Sarnia-Lambton, pointing to a prolonged freezing rain event, “leading to significant ice build up in some areas,” beginning late Wednesday into Thursday.
“An approaching Colorado low will bring the potential for a prolonged freezing rain event across portions of southwestern Ontario between Sarnia and Niagara,” the advisory noted. “There remains some uncertainty to exact location and timing of the freezing rain axis, as well as the amount of ice accretion that may occur.
“Precipitation may begin as snow or ice pellets before changing to freezing rain at the onset late Wednesday.”
Freezing rain warnings are expected to be issued as the event draws nearer.
Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and extremely hazardous, Environment Canada added.
"Extended and widespread utility outages are possible.”