A special weather statement has been issued for the Toronto area ahead of a storm that may bring heavy snow and rain to the region Tuesday afternoon and evening.
A low-pressure system is on its way from the northeast U.S., and the edge of the winter storm is expected to bring wet snow to the regions around Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, Environment Canada warned.
"It will affect millions in Canada and 100 million in the States," Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips told CTV News Channel Tuesday morning. "It's got a mixed bag of rain and snow, freezing rain and strong winds."
Precipitation will likely begin at around 5 p.m. in the form of rain or a rain-snow mix, giving way to snow as temperatures drop, continuing into Wednesday morning.
Total snowfall is predicted to range from a couple centimetres in the Toronto and Hamilton areas to about 10 centimetres in parts of Niagara and Durham regions.
Heavier snowfall warnings are in effect for regions east of the GTA. Those west of Peterborough will see fewer amounts of snow, but the storm will intensify east of the city, with 20 to 30 centimetres of snow expected to hit the ground around the Ottawa Valley region.
Closer to the water, Torontonians should expect mostly rain with "a little bit of a dusting," Phillips said. The city is expected to receive between 2 and 5 centimetres of snow Tuesday night, and City of Toronto crews are getting their salting trucks ready for cleanup.
City officials say 200 trucks will be sent out to keep the roads as safe as possible for the Wednesday morning commute.
"For most areas, this will not be the snow that we'll be celebrating by Christmas. It'll come, as a little teaser, it'll go, and if we get a white Christmas, it'll be other snow."
Though there could be enough snow to provide a light coating over the city by tomorrow morning, it is not likely the temperature will be cold enough for the snow to stick around. Temperatures are expected to hover just above 0 C in the coming days.
The average temperature for this time of year is 5 C.
Expect travel delays
Wednesday morning's commute is likely to be affected by the snowfall.
"Motorists should be prepared for poor winter driving conditions," Environment Canada said in the weather statement. "Travel into Easter Ontario and neighbouring New York state is not recommended as heavier snow is expected and warnings are in effect there."
Airlines flying out of Toronto recommend all passengers confirm their flight status prior to arriving at the airport, in case of delays or cancellations Tuesday and Wednesday.
Environment Canada says it is tracking the storm, and any deviations may result in a significant change in the amount of snowfall. "Should the storm centre track just a little closer to the regions, snowfall warnings may be required."
Flight cancellations
American thanksgiving on Thursday is one of the busiest travel times of the year in the United States, but the storm will affect cross-country trips.
Flights coming in and out of the Unites States - mainly the Eastern seaboard – have already been affected.
So far, 32 flights coming in and out of Toronto Pearson International Airport have been cancelled.
Cancellations and delays can also be expected for flights heading to Ottawa and the East Coast.
