Rapid drop in temperatures could lead to icy surfaces Wednesday afternoon | CBC News

A hat and scarf are still needed Wednesday as the temperature is expected to drop rapidly in the afternoon across Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County, a special weather statement from Environment Canada says.

The day will start with a chance showers in the morning and a high of 12 C, but as showers begin in the afternoon, the temperature will drop to –5 C with the wind chill making it feel like –13 C.

Winds will also be coming from the northwest at 70km/h gusting to 80 km/h and those showers could change to flurries or ice pellets, Environment Canada said.

That could cause icy surfaces on roads and sidewalks, as well as ponding water and slush as temperatures fall below the freezing mark through the day.

A flash freeze warning and a snow squall watch are in effect in the area of Mount Forest. Environment Canada said snow squalls are expected to develop throughout the afternoon with total snow amounts of 15 to 30 cm.

Peak snowfall amounts of two to four centimetres per hour are expected.

Trudy Kidd, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada, told CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition a very strong low-pressure system moving through the province that is bringing a sharp cold front.

“Once that cold front passes though, there’s some really cold arctic air behind it and that’s what’s going to plummet the temperatures,” Kidd said.