Second wave of ice storm pummels GTA
(The Star Food)

Another round of unsettled weather is sweeping southern Ontario on Sunday bringing a mix of ice pellets, freezing rain and rain.Environment Canada has issued two weather warnings for freezing rain and rain for Sunday for Toronto and most of the GTA. Ice pellets are expected early Sunday morning before changing to freezing rain mid-morning, Environment Canada said. The ice storm is forecasted to produce an ice buildup of 10 mm.As the temperature climbs above the freezing mark to 3 C Sunday night, freezing rain will change to showers. Environment Canada said “rain may fall heavily at times with amounts likely in the 20 to 25 mm range.�There are fears Sunday’s stormy weather may be even more severe than the day before as Environment Canada expects the precipitation will be driven by howling winds in many areas.The weather agency said that there will likely be power outages as northeast winds gusting up to 70 km/h, and 90 km/h in Hamilton, can down power lines and tree branches. The icy weather will also make for dangerous driving.On Saturday, the Ontario Provincial Police responded to up to 550 collisions on GTA highways. Toronto police also received numerous calls of crashes due to poor road conditions. Thousands of people also lost power, but Hydro One and other affected utilities have been working around the clock to reconnect customers.Saturday’s ice storm also caused cancellation of viewing parties for Raptors and Leafs fans. Several universities and colleges were closed on Saturday due to the storm.Toronto’s Pearson Airport advises passengers to check their flight status before leaving, with more than 250 flights cancelled by Saturday evening and another 233 as of 6.a.m. Sunday.The rain will continue into Monday with a daytime high of 9 C. The weather agency is advising people to clear drainage basins of ice buildup to prevent basement flooding. Residents in low-lying areas are being warned of possible localized flooding.It will ...