Days after an ice storm hit Toronto tens of thousands remain without power and trees continue to break under the weight of ice.

Ice storms are caused by a pocket of ‘warm’ air which allows rain to fall. However the surface is chilled to well below zero – so when the rain hits the ground, cars, buildings, trees, planes – you name it – it freezes.  

Freezing rain is rare in New Zealand but can occur in Southland and Otago and a few other inland and very cold areas in winter.

These photos, sent to us by Liz Hall from Brampton, a suburb north west of Toronto City Centre, shows the incredible ice that was created by the freezing rain and ice storm.

The feels like temperature in Toronto has been below minus 20 degrees in recent days.  While tomorrow has a high of +4 degrees, the high on Wednesday will be minus 11 with a feels like temperature of minus 17.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz

– WeatherWatch.co.nz