Dec. 22 weather: -26 C wind chill and snow coming up in southern Ontario

For those dreaming of a white Christmas, southern Ontario is set to deliver—well, to some parts, that is—along with the usual winter challenges. The region will experience cold air blasts and up to 50 cm of snow in some areas, which could cause travel disruptions.

Following yesterday’s shortest day of the year and longest night, early risers might catch a beautiful sight at Sunday’s 7:48 a.m. sunrise, as sunshine is expected to briefly illuminate the sky after many weeks of cloudy conditions.

Ontario residents will wake up to a mix of sunshine and cloudy periods. The morning will start off frigid, with varying wind chills across the region. Mississauga and Brampton will feel like -25 C, Hamilton -24 C, Halton -21 C, and Oshawa at -26 C.

Wind speeds will pick up to 15 km/h across Ontario, easing by the afternoon. Daytime highs will remain well below freezing, with Mississauga, Brampton and Halton reaching -9 C, and expected to dip further to -12 C by the afternoon. Durham and Hamilton will see a high of -11 C.

Sunset begins at 4:41 p.m.

Skies will cloud over by evening, with a chance of snow. Mississauga faces a 40 per cent chance of flurries, while Durham’s likelihood increases to 60 per cent.

Brisk 15 km/h winds may also return to southern Ontario and carry overnight.

Temperatures are anticpated to slip to – 10 C in Mississauga Brampton and Halton while Durham region will drop to -13 C and Hamilton will be the coolest at -14 C.