Residents in the Greater Toronto Area are bracing for a drastic temperature drop as a sharp Arctic cold front is expected to push its way across Southern and Eastern Ontario tonight.
Toronto remains under a special weather statement, as ice pellets are expected to hit the city overnight, Environment Canada predicts.
"After a long awaited taste of summer, winter returns with a snowy vengeance," the national weather agency said in a statement on Monday.
Earlier during the day, the mercury hovered around the low 20s across much of Southern Ontario, and as high as 27C in parts of Eastern Ontario, Environment Canada said.
By Tuesday, however, temperatures are expected to plunge to below freezing across parts of the province.
In Toronto, the mercury is expected to drop to -1C. Environment Canada predicts up to five centimetres of snow and ice pellets will blanket the city. North of Toronto, in areas east of Georgian Bay, up to 15 cm of snow is expected.
Environment Canada is warning drivers to be prepared for hazardous winter driving conditions as a result of low visibility and accumulating snow.
By late Tuesday, Environment Canada said the late blast of winter-like conditions are expected to give way to more moderate temperatures by the end of the week.
