Update (Friday, Mar. 28, 2025, at 4:26 p.m.):
The City of Kingston has now joined the Town of Greater Napanee, South Frontenac Township, Loyalist Township, and the Town of Gananoque, declaring a significant weather event ahead of freezing rain in the forecast for the Kingston area (see below).
“During a significant weather event, residents are advised to use extra caution and are reminded that winter maintenance service levels for roads and sidewalks may not be met,” the City of Kingston said.
“Kingston Transit’s Snow Plan network will be in effect on Saturday and Sunday. Specifically, routes 1, 2, 6, 7, 11, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, and 31/32 will operate on snow plan routing, and use primary road corridors to ensure safety and reliability. Should travel be essential, check your snow plan route before you go at KingstonTransit.ca, use the Transit app for real-time information, and plan extra time for your trip; it may be longer than usual as transit operators safely navigate streets and slower traffic.”
Further details, including tips from the municipality and information on the overnight parking ban (see below) can be found on the municipality’s website.
UPDATE (Friday Mar. 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.):
Local municipalities are now sharing information with residents ahead of the freezing rain storm in the forecast.
The Town of Greater Napanee declared a Significant Weather Event at noon on Friday, Mar. 28, 2025, noting a Significant Weather Event is defined within the Minimum Maintenance Standards for Municipal Roads O.Reg. 239/02 of the Ontario Municipal Act.
“During the significant weather event, the Town is advising motorists and pedestrians to use extra caution as the municipality may not be able to meet its maintenance standards for roads, bike lanes, and sidewalks due to the freezing rain expected,” the Town said.
“The declaration will not change how or when the municipality performs its winter maintenance operations. However, it may take the municipality longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to a state of repair. Public safety is the municipality’s top priority. The Town of Greater Napanee will update the public with information during this significant weather event via our social media pages and website.”
South Frontenac Township has also declared a significant weather event.
“A significant weather event is defined as an approaching or occurring weather hazard with the potential to pose a significant danger to the users of highways (streets and roads) within a municipality. This declaration is not a notice of closed roads, and the Township remains diligent in providing continued winter maintenance to ensure public safety,” the Township said.
“Drivers and pedestrians are encouraged to use an appropriate level of caution when traveling (sic) during this event and are asked to be mindful of snowplows as they continue to clear township roads.”
Loyalist Township, too, declared a significant weather event, noting, “The declaration will not change how or when the municipality performs its winter maintenance operations.
“However, it may take the municipality longer than usual to bring the roads and sidewalks back to a state of repair. Winter maintenance priority will be given to arterial and collector roads. Public safety is the municipality’s top concern,” Loyalist Township said.
At the same time, Greater Napanee published some tips to prepare for inclement weather, including specific information for ice storms. The Town of Gananoque did the same, but also included further details on creating emergency preparedness kits and need-to-know information around power outages. The South East Health Unit (SEHU) likewise issued a notice on what to do in case of a power outage, urging residents in eastern Ontario to stay safe.
“Protect yourself during a power outage with the following tips,” the SEHU said, providing the following details:
- Drinking water safety:
- If you are on a well and rely on an electric water pump, store extra water for drinking, cooking, and sanitation.
- Consider boiling or using bottled water if there are concerns about well water safety.
- Once power has been restored, run the water for a few minutes to remove stagnant water before use.
- Food safety:
- Keep your fridge and freezer doors closed to maintain temperature.
- A full freezer can keep food frozen for 48 hours, while a half-full freezer lasts about 24 hours.
- An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about 4 hours.
- Discard all food that has been at room temperature for two or more hours.
- Monitor local news, weather reports, and updates from your utility provider for outage updates and expected restoration times.
- Carbon monoxide safety:
- If using alternative heat sources (fireplaces, space heaters, or generators), ensure proper ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Never use outdoor appliances, such as barbeques, propane burners or camping stoves, indoors.
- Keep furnace exhaust vents clear of snow and ice to ensure proper ventilation.
- Fire safety:Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.
- Check on vulnerable individuals:
- Ensure seniors, those with medical conditions, and individuals with special needs have necessary supplies and support.
Readers can find more information on how to prepare for emergencies, including power outages, through the SEHU’s Emergency Preparedness page.
With all of the talk about preparing for power outages, Hydro One is advising residents to view the various emergency preparedness measures on its website, and Utilities Kingston provides its own emergency situation information on its website.
During the inclement weather headed towards eastern Ontario, it is important to remember that the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority (CRCA) has already extended the ongoing flood watch, advising lake levels are expected to rise. According to the CRCA, the following locations have water levels that are well above normal seasonal averages (PP = Portage Power, PC = Parks Canada, MNR = Ministry of Natural Resources):
Cataraqui Watershed
- Loughborough Lake (PP)
- Buck Lake (PP)
- Canoe Lake (PP)
- Kingsford Lake (PP)
- Devil Lake (PP)
- Newboro Lake (PC)
- Opinicon Lake (PC)
- Sand Lake (PC)
- Cranberry Lake (PC)
- Dog Lake (PC)
- Colonel By Lake (PC)
Gananoque River System
- Upper Beverley Lake & Delta (MNR)
- Lower Beverley Lake (MNR)
- Singleton Lake (MNR)
- Charleston Lake (PP)
- Gananoque Lake (PP)
- Gananoque River – the reach between Marble Rock Dam downstream to the 401 causeway (includes Marble Rock Road) – (PP)
Kingstonist reached out to the City of Kingston to find out whether the municipality has any indication a significant weather event will be declared in the Limestone City. While the municipality did not respond by time of publication, the City did issue notice that its winter parking ban is in effect for Friday, Mar. 28, 2025.
“A ban on overnight on-street parking has been implemented beginning tonight, Friday, March 28, due to the forecasted weather. While the ban is in place, parking on all city streets is prohibited between the hours of 1 a.m. and 7 a.m. and from 12 a.m. to 7 a.m. on the streets that surround Kingston General Hospital,” the City of Kingston said in the notice.
“The ban will remain in place until the City deems it no longer necessary. When the ban is revoked, notice will be posted on our website and social media. Please check CityofKingston.ca/WinterParking for updates and more information.”
UPDATE (Friday, Mar. 28, 2025, 12:24 p.m.):
Just before noon on Friday, Mar. 28, 2025, Environment Canada issued a freezing rain warning for the Kingston area.
“The area will receive significant freezing rain over the upcoming weekend. Precipitation may begin as snow or rain before changing over to freezing rain this evening,” the national weather agency detailed.
“Freezing rain may become lighter for a brief period of time for some areas on Saturday. Freezing rain will change to rain on Sunday as temperatures rise above the freezing mark.”
In the warning, Environment Canada stated that ice accretion amounts (the amount that will build up on surfaces) will be 10 to 20 mm with amounts in excess of 25 mm possible. Ice build-up may cause tree branches to break, the agency noted.
The weather system is expected to move into the area this evening, and continue through Sunday afternoon. According to the warning, the heaviest freezing rain is expected overnight into Saturday morning.
As in the original Special Weather Statement (below), the agency warned of slippery surfaces and possible widespread power outages, and now suggest that flooding may be possible due to the significant amount of precipitation predicted.
“Take extra care when walking or driving in affected areas. Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” Environment Canada stated.
“Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight. For information on emergency plans and kits go to getprepared.gc.ca.”
Original article:
Although spring officially arrived last week, the weather hasn’t quite caught up yet, and this weekend may be very messy indeed.
Environment Canada has been updating a Special Weather Statement for most of the southern areas of Ontario, warning of a possible spring ice storm. The entire north shore of Lake Ontario — including Kingston and surrounding jurisdictions — is covered by this advisory, and it extends well past Ontario’s eastern border.
In the statement, the national weather agency said that significant ice accretion is expected from freezing rain. Ice accretion amounts (the amount that will build up on surfaces) of 5 to 15 mm are expected, with amounts in excess of 20 mm possible. The current timeline for the storm is late Friday through Monday (Mar. 28 to 31, 2025)
“Confidence is increasing in a widespread, prolonged freezing rain event over portions of southern Ontario. The swath of maximum ice accretion is still uncertain at this point, but confidence is highest for areas of central and eastern Ontario between Parry Sound and Kingston. Warnings will be issued as the event draws nearer,” Environment Canada detailed.
“A break in the freezing rain is expected for most areas late in the day on Saturday into Saturday night before a second round of freezing rain begins.”
The agency also mentioned the possibility of utility outages, broken tree branches, and slippery surfaces.
Kingstonist will continue to monitor the evolving weather situation and provide updates if/when possible. See the weather alerts on the Environment Canada page here.
