Police urge caution on slippery roads after rain, snowfall in Waterloo region
Waterloo region commuters could wake up to slippery roads Thursday morning as cold overnight temperatures will likely freeze Wednesday's melt, says Environment Canada.
Peter Kimbell, a meteorologist with Environment Canada, said Wednesday's rain is forecast to turn to light snow at night, with temperatures dropping to a low of -4 C.
"Temperatures are going to go below zero again, so everything that's melting is going to re-freeze," Kimbell told CBC News.
Kimbell said road conditions should improve by Thursday evening as city crews will have had time to salt or sand roads, adding there are no significant weather events expected for Thursday.
Waterloo region is likely in for a second cold snap, though, as temperatures are forecast to fall to a low of -19 C Friday night and only reach a high of -12 C on Saturday, Kimbell said.
"Normal highs this time of year is around -4 C," he said. "We're back to the deep freeze after Thursday."
Give yourself extra time
Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) told CBC News they had received over 40 collision reports by Wednesday afternoon, in part due to poor road conditions, adding Thursday could potentially look the same.
Const. Ashley Dietrich with the WRPS, said drivers should give themselves extra time Thursday morning to make sure their vehicle is clear of any snow or ice.
"We have seen motorists not clear their vehicle off entirely and just jump in [and] have it clear off as they go," she said.
She adds drivers should be vigilant and aware of their surroundings as some cars don't have winter tires, impacting how they respond to icy roads.
This week, the service announced it was changing how it responds to collisions as dispatch will decide if an officer needs to be sent to the scene of a crash or not.
Dietrich said it's important for drivers to know that how they report a collision has not changed.
She added an officer would most likely be sent to a collision if it involved a pedestrian or cyclist or large vehicles such as a school bus.