Ice storm leaves more than 450 000 customers without power in U.S. and Canada
A powerful ice storm swept across northern U.S. and eastern Canada over the weekend, leaving more than 450 000 customers without power and causing significant ice accretion from Michigan to Ottawa.
Bent tree limbs in Canada due to ice accretions on March 31, 2025. image credit: Hydro one
A powerful ice storm affected much of the northern United States over the weekend, bringing significant ice accretion from the Great Lakes to the Northeast and northern New England.
Severe weather conditions combined with freezing rain led to ice accretion of 1.2–2.5 cm (0.5–1 inch), causing trees to snap and fall in multiple areas, damaging nearby structures and power lines.
Extensive power outages were reported across the region, including in Michigan, where over 100 000 customers were affected. Outages were also reported in Wisconsin, northern New York, and Vermont.
Officials established shelters with charging stations and food for those without power. Michigan State Police urged residents to remain at home if possible. Many roads were reported impassable due to hazardous travel conditions and numerous downed trees and power lines.
The system is forecast to move out of the region, shifting northward on Monday, March 31. An additional 6.4 mm (0.25 inch) of ice is possible for parts of the Eastern Upper Peninsula on Monday night.
Another high-pressure system is expected to move into the region on Tuesday, April 1, bringing freezing conditions through the early part of the week.
The impacts of the storm weren’t limited to the U.S. More than 350 000 customers faced power outages on Sunday, March 30, as the storm pummeled Canada through the weekend.
“Outages are largely being caused by tree limbs and branches being weighed down from the accumulation of freezing rain,” said electricity provider Hydro One on its website, noting there is also the risk of flooding for central Ontario.
The city of Orillia in Ontario declared a State of Emergency due to the storm as prolonged freezing rain continued to cause widespread power outages, hazardous road conditions, downed trees and hydro lines, and damage to public and private infrastructure.
Hydro one operatives working to restore power after ice storm in Canada on March 31, 2025
Winter storm warnings were issued across Ottawa and parts of Ontario and Quebec due to the risk of freezing rain and snow transitioning into ice pellets.
Multiple roads were closed across eastern Canada due to icy conditions and fallen trees.
References:
1 The Final Countdown…Wintry Mess Continues Tonight – NWS – March 31, 2025
2 Hundreds of thousands of eastern Canadians face power outages due to ice storm – CNN – March 31, 2025
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