'Deep freeze' to bring coldest temps of season to Hamilton
Cold temperatures to follow weekend storm that brought snow, freezing rain and rain
Following a weekend storm that has brought snow, freezing rain and rain to Hamilton, Environment Canada predicts the coldest temperatures of the season will hit the region this week.
The weather agency said a "frigid Arctic airmass" will arrive Sunday, "plunging Southern Ontario into a deep freeze."
The agency said cold temperatures and winds will likely bring extreme cold warnings at points this week. The city of Hamilton issued a cold alert effective Sunday night.
The temperature is expected to be a high of 5 degrees Celsius dropping to 0 degrees Celsius Sunday afternoon, and falling even further to a low of -10 degrees Celsius over night. The agency also expects high winds gusting up to 60 km/h Sunday afternoon and overnight, with a 60 percent chance of rain turning to flurries in the afternoon.
The temperature Monday is expected to drop further still to -14 degrees Celsius in the afternoon.
Over the weekend, Saturday's snowfall followed by freezing rain led to complicated driving and travel conditions, and collisions on Hamilton roadways and highways.
A "significant winter storm" brought snow to the region Saturday morning and afternoon, but warming temperatures brought freezing rain in the transition, according to Environment Canada.
The weather warnings came on a busy weekend for post-holiday travel. Local and provincial emergency crews responded to vehicle collisions on roadways and highways. City winter crews were de-icing main city roads mid-afternoon Saturday.
The rain Saturday night and Sunday isn't expected to last. "A cold front sweeping across Southern Ontario late Sunday will bring a return to cold temperatures, strong winds and flurries,” Environment Canada said.
Tamara Watson posted a photo Saturday demonstrating the storm's hazardous effects on roads.
Anita Thomas and Tammy Parris demonstrated the freezing rain's effects.
But for those who could take one last holiday afternoon and curl up inside, the snow provided a festive touch.
Have pictures of the storm's effects? Email them to us at [email protected].
And here's a look at the snow earlier Saturday from inside our office on James Street North: