STONE COLD STATUE
The iconic statue of Maj.-Gen. Sir Isaac Brock that stands at the Sandwich roundabout was caked in ice on Wednesday after the Windsor area was hit with freezing rain.
Chalk it up as a forecast that Environment Canada got right: It was icy in Windsor-Essex on Wednesday morning.
Freezing rain conditions that began after midnight continued into commuting hours, resulting in slippery, ice-coated surfaces throughout the region.
The weather situation caused the Greater Essex County District School Board and Windsor Essex Catholic District School Board to cancel all school buses in the city and the county for the day. However, all schools remained open.
Several flights to and from Toronto at Windsor International Airport were cancelled. Environment Canada’s freezing rain warning persisted past Wednesday morning, but was lifted around 2 p.m. as the precipitation turned into normal rain. Temperatures remained above zero Celsius throughout the day. Motorists were advised on Wednesday to adjust their driving and be wary of untreated surfaces on county roads, city roads and even parking lots. Windsor police and firefighting services urged the public to avoid driving if possible, and use caution in all morning travels, including on sidewalks.
The good news? Freezing rain isn’t in forecast for Thursday. According to the Weather Network, the city and region should see temperatures as high as 13 C on Thursday.
Rain will likely continue all day Thursday, but ice pellets aren’t in the forecast.