Ice Storm Ontario
What is ice storm ontario?
Key facts
| Definition | storm with freezing rain and ice accumulation of at least 0.25 inch / 6.4 mm on exposed surfaces[1] |
|---|---|
| Cause | freezing rain / supercooled liquid precipitation freezing on contact with cold surfaces[1] |
| Hazards | slippery roads, powerline damage, tree damage, outages, injury[1] |
| Ontario event | December 21 to 23, 2013 severe winter storm in Toronto, Ontario[2] |
| Ontario and Quebec event | April 2023 ice storm affected Quebec and Ontario[1] |
| Regional reference | eastern Ontario was part of the January 1998 North American Ice Storm area[1] |
An ice storm in Ontario is a winter storm with freezing rain that accumulates as ice on exposed surfaces.
Context
Ice storms in Ontario, such as the December 2013 event in Toronto and the April 2023 storm affecting both Ontario and Quebec, are severe winter storms caused by freezing rain. These storms can cause significant damage, including power outages and tree damage. Eastern Ontario was also affected by the January 1998 North American Ice Storm. The province of Ontario is no stranger to such severe weather events. [1]
Documented claims
- Ice storms form when rain passes through warm air aloft and then a freezing layer near the ground, freezing on contact. [3]
- The U.S. National Weather Service uses 0.25 inch as the threshold for an ice storm. [1]
- Ice storms can cause power and communication loss by pulling down trees and utility lines. [1]
- The April 2023 ice storm in Quebec and Ontario cut power to more than a million people. [1]
Related
Questions and answers
When was the major ice storm in Ontario?
A major ice storm in Ontario occurred from December 21 to 23, 2013 in Toronto [2].
How long did the 2013 ice storm in Toronto last?
The 2013 ice storm in Toronto lasted three days, from December 21 to 23 [2].
When was the last ice storm in Barrie?
The last notable ice storm in Barrie was part of the April 2023 ice storm that affected both Ontario and Quebec [1].
When was the bad ice storm in Ottawa?
Ottawa was affected by the April 2023 ice storm, which cut power to more than a million people [1].
Sources
- Ice storm | Definition, Examples, & Facts - Britannica — britannica.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- Assessing health impacts of the December 2013 Ice storm in Ontario, Canada — pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov (retrieved August 3, 2026)
- The Ice Storm—the most beautiful disaster you've ever seen — firstonsite.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)