Freezing rain alert in Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Halton and Durham region

A special weather statement has been issued for parts of southern Ontario as freezing rain is expected to make conditions throughout the region challenging on Wednesday (March 23).

According to Environment Canada, freezing rain with ice accretion of up to 2 to 8 mm is possible beginning Wednesday morning or afternoon.

Impacted areas include Mississauga, Brampton, Halton Region, Durham Region and Hamilton.

The freezing rain is expected to change to rain in the afternoon and evening and, with rainfall amounts in the 10 to 20 mm range, may lead to localized flooding in some areas.

Increasing the flood risk is the partially frozen ground which may not have the ability to absorb all the extra rainfall.

Areas near the shores of Lake Ontario are likely to remain above the freezing mark, and as a result should receive only rain, the weather agency said.

Winds are expected to gust upwards of 60 km/h which, coupled with ice accretion, could lead to power outages.