Environment Canada issues freezing rain warning for Toronto

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for Toronto.

The federal agency said in the warning issued Monday afternoon that freezing rain could have a "significant impact" on rush hour traffic in Toronto on Tuesday morning.

According to the forecast, the freezing rain will start Monday evening in southwestern Ontario and reach Toronto overnight. It will spread eastward on Tuesday night.

The agency expects the freezing rain to leave two to five millimetres of ice on untreated surfaces.

"Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots will become icy, slippery and hazardous," Environment Canada said.

"Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas. Beware of branches or electrical wires that could break under the weight of ice. Utility outages may occur."

On Tuesday morning, the freezing rain will change to rain in parts of southwestern Ontario. On Tuesday afternoon, it will change to rain in areas near western Lake Ontario.

It could last until Tuesday evening for regions east towards Peterborough.