Freezing rain and fog making for tricky driving in Southwestern Ontario

If you’re heading out to visit family or friends in Southern Ontario, you might be facing tricky driving conditions.

Environment Canada issued a special weather statement on Thursday warning of patchy dense fog, freezing rain and freezing drizzle in parts of Southern Ontario.

Although the fog is expected to dissipate by midday, the weather agency warned of zero visibility in several areas west of Toronto, particularly in Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Kitchener and Burlington.

And with a developing low pressure system — set to usher in milder temperatures — moving toward the upper Great Lakes area by Thursday evening, Southwestern Ontario is seeing intermittent freezing rain and drizzle.

Some areas will encounter minor ice build-up and Environment Canada is urging drivers and pedestrians to be prepared for slick surfaces.

The special weather statement was issued for several areas west and north of Toronto. The full list can be found on the weather agency’s website.

Meanwhile, Toronto itself is enjoying relatively mild weather with a temperature of 3°C Thursday and highs of 8°C predicted for New Year's Eve and and 10°C expected for the first day of 2011.

--Christine Dobby, Staff Reporter