Slushy commute Wednesday evening

The wet snow in Toronto will turn into rain late Wednesday afternoon as temperatures rise, meaning the commute home could be slippery and slushy as parts of the GTA are expected to receive between 15 and 22 mm of rainfall.

The temperature is expected to hover around 3 Celsius throughout the evening after dipping to 1 Celsius in the early afternoon.

Conditions could alternate throughout the day, a special weather statement by Environment Canada said.

In the city, easterly winds are gusting to 50 km/h which could blow snow around and reduce visibility.

Significant snow, heavy rain and freezing rain conditions have prompted the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority to issue a high water safety bulletin.

The advisory, which will be in effect through Sunday, says expected rainfall amounts will increase water levels, creating “dangerous conditions” near rivers and streams.

Melting ice in local ponds and lakes will also create slippery and unstable conditions.

Snowfall is also expected around the city.

Downtown Toronto may receive up to 2 cm of slushy accumulation, but the city’s north end heading into the rest of the GTA could receive up to 5 cm of snow.

Rain is expected to continue on Thursday and Friday throughout the GTA. Areas north of Lake Ontario, including Greater Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie, could receive between 15 and 20 cm. of snow on Wednesday.

Gloria Er-Chua, Staff Reporter