Heavy rain followed by heavy snow Thursday prompt weather warnings
Roads and sidewalks may become icy as temperature drops
Environment Canada is warning that heavy rain followed by heavy snow will make for messy conditions on Thursday.
A special weather statement and snowfall warning are in effect for Southern Wellington County, including Guelph and Erin and the Region of Waterloo, including Kitchener and Cambridge.
The rain began Wednesday and is expected to continue through Thursday afternoon as a low-pressure system makes its way across southern Ontario.
In total, Environment Canada said between 10 and 25 millimetres of rain are expected by Thursday afternoon.
As the temperature drops through the day, the rain will transition to snow — and it's possible at that point there will be periods of freezing rain and ice pellets, said Environment Canada in a snowfall warning.
The snowfall warning is expected to be in effect until Friday morning. By the time the low-pressure system moves through southern Ontario, between 15 and 25 centimetres of snow may fall.
Environment Canada said there's a risk of icy and slippery roads and sidewalks, near-zero visibility due to heavy blowing snow and travel may be a challenge as snow quickly accumulates.
It urged people to adjust their driving according to conditions.
The forecasted mixed precipitation also prompted the Grand River Conservation Authority to issue a flood watch for the entire Grand River watershed on Wednesday.
It said while significant flooding wasn't expected, thick ice on the river could lead to ice jams.