Freezing rain warning issued in Toronto as temperatures drop across the GTA

A freezing rain warning for Toronto and parts of the Greater Toronto Area has been issued as Environment Canada warns of icy conditions on Thursday evening.

The national weather agency issued a yellow warning for Toronto as well as several areas in Halton, Peel, Hamilton, Durham and York regions.

Officials say a weather system moving into the region could create slippery conditions on roads and sidewalks: “A low pressure system is expected to spread another area of rain into the region beginning late this afternoon."

Environment Canada says rain is expected to transition into freezing rain during the evening hours as temperatures drop near the freezing mark.

“Rain will change to freezing rain early this evening in most areas except immediately along the shore of Lake Ontario where mainly rain with temperatures just above zero is expected," the statement adds. 

Forecasters say ice accumulation of up to two millimetres could occur  in some areas.

The freezing rain is expected to taper off around midnight though patchy freezing drizzle may continue into Friday morning.

Officials are urging residents to prepare for slippery travel conditions.

The freezing rain warning comes just days before a significant warm up, with Toronto expected to see temperatures reach as high as 16C on Saturday.