'Major' eastern Ontario ice storm expected this weekend

Environment Canada says to prepare for widespread power outages and dangerous travel this weekend because of freezing rain hitting communities ranging from Bancroft to Belleville to Brockville.

What it's calling a major ice storm south of Ottawa-Gatineau is expected to begin Friday evening, be at its most severe Friday night and end Sunday afternoon.

Freezing rain warnings advertise at least one to two centimetres of ice could build up on communities roughly south of Bancroft, Brockville and Sharbot Lake.

Those communities in the previous line could get five to 15 millimetres of ice after a possible five to 15 centimetres of snow

The freezing rain may ease for a time on Saturday, according to Environment Canada. It should change to rain Sunday afternoon or evening.

Snowfall warning

There is a snowfall warning just north of the freezing rain warning. It covers places such as Barry's Bay, Perth and rural south Ottawa and forecasts 10 to 20 centimetres of snow Friday night and Saturday.

Up to a centimetre of freezing rain is then expected on Sunday.

Above that in Cornwall, Pembroke and northern Ottawa, two special weather statements offer a mix of those warnings: 10 to 15 centimetres of snow Friday night and Saturday and then up to a centimetre of freezing rain on Sunday.

Freezing rain warnings are likely going to spread to these places, Environment Canada says.

Monday's daytime high in Ottawa could get up into the teens, according to Environment Canada warning preparedness meteorologist Peter Kimbell.

"We have kind of a bit of everything in store.… it's a real rollercoaster," he said.

Western Quebec's statement is about at least five millimetres of freezing rain on Sunday.

Forecasters say it should get slippery outside and tree branches could break as ice builds up, putting utilities such as electricity at risk.

Organizations such as Emergency Management Ontario have advice on how to prepare for and manage power outages. CBC Lite is a low-bandwidth version of this website to help stay informed.

Kingston has declared a significant weather event, putting in its snow plans for transit and overnight parking.

Environment Canada also recommends postponing non-essential travel under the freezing rain warnings.

For a benchmark, the infamous 1998 ice storm brought more than eight centimetres of ice to Ottawa over multiple days.