Potential 'significant' ice storm for eastern Ontario, western Quebec

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for most of eastern Ontario with the potential for a "significant"ice storm.

Freezing rain and ice pellets are forecast overnight intoWednesdayafternoon for an area stretching from Renfrew County's western border and Bancroft through Ottawa-Gatineau to Prescott-Russell.

Environment Canada says prolongedfreezing rain could lead to significant icebuildup of 10 to 15 millimetresin some areas. There is a risk of power outages and tree damage.

"If most of the precipitation falls in the form of freezing rain, this has the potential to be a significant ice storm for the region," it said.

Communities further south of Ottawa such as Brockville, Cornwall and Lanark County could see freezing rain and ice pellets Wednesday morning under their freezing rain warning.

The rest of western Quebec has its own freezing rain warning. Itcould get 10 to 20 millimetres of freezing precipitation during the day Wednesday, according to the weather agency.

Maniwaki's forecast isearly morning snow changing to ice pellets, then to freezing rain, then to rain later in the day.

Thursday's forecasted high of 12 C would be Ottawa's warmest day of the year so far. The last time Ottawa reached 10 C was in late November.