Environment Canada has issued an orange freezing rain warning for Stratford, Ontario, starting overnight on February 17 and continuing through Wednesday evening. The storm is expected to bring between 5 to 10 millimetres of ice, with some areas seeing up to 15 millimetres of buildup. This heavy ice, combined with wind gusts of up to 60 kilometres per hour, creates a high risk for power outages and dangerous road conditions.
The combination of thick ice and strong easterly winds may cause tree branches to break and utility lines to fail across the region. Festival Hydro is advising its customers to keep emergency kits ready with batteries and non-perishable food in case the power goes out. Before the ice arrives, a fog advisory is also in effect for the area, which could reduce visibility to near zero for drivers on Tuesday night.
Travel is expected to be difficult on Wednesday morning, and the Huron Perth Student Transportation Services may cancel school buses due to the icy conditions. The City of Stratford public works department will be managing the roughly 200 kilometres of municipal roads to address the slippery surfaces. Residents are encouraged to avoid any travel that is not essential and to check on their neighbours until the storm passes on Wednesday night.
