Winter storm watch: Heavy snow and freezing rain expected Wednesday

Hazardous winter conditions are expected Wednesday in Hamilton and most of southern Ontario.

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning with the forecast calling for as much as 20 millimetres of ice buildup.

Around five centimetres of heavy snow, mixed with ice pellets and strong winds, are expected to hit the area during the afternoon commute before evolving into an ice storm Wednesday night, the weather agency says. Between 10 and 20 millimetres of ice accumulation is possible.

Extensive and widespread utility outages are likely. Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and extremely hazardous," Environment Canada adds.

Winds from the northeast will gust up to 70 km/h with the strongest winds hitting the southern shores of Lake Ontario.

The Hamilton Conservation Authority (HCA) cautions residents in a press release Tuesday that the storm is expected to surge along Hamilton's Lake Ontario shoreline, possibly causing localized flooding and erosion Wednesday and Thursday.

Maximum wave heights of 2.3 metres are forecast, says the HCA.

Freezing rain will continue Wednesday night before tapering off early Thursday to patchy freezing drizzle. Gusty northeasterly winds will diminish Thursday morning.

Bundle up if you need to go outside. A high of -1 C is forecast for Wednesday, but it will feel more like -10 C with the wind chill.

Another light wintry mix of precipitation is possible Thursday afternoon and into the evening.

Jennifer Moore is an editorial assistant at The Spectator. jmoore@thespec.com