Dec. 4 weather: Brace for snow and windy conditions in southern Ontario

You might be waking up to a snowy start on Wednesday with cold winds and flurries in the forecast for southern Ontario, with up to 10 cm of snow possible at Pearson Airport in Mississauga.

While some parts of the province have seen heavy snowfall and squalls, Toronto and surrounding cities like Mississauga, Brampton and Hamilton could be in for their first real taste of winter on Wednesday.

Environment and Climate Change Canada is calling for periods of snow in the morning with accumulation between 2 cm and 5 cm in areas like Mississauga, Brampton and Caledon, while the airport could see up to 10 cm.

The snowfall is expected to start around 4 a.m. and continue throughout the day, the Weather Network says.

Wednesday’s daytime high is expected to be around 1 C but will feel more like between -8 C and -11 C, depending on where you are in the province.

More snow is also expected with up to 10 cm in Kingston, Peterborough, Owen Sound, the Blue Mountains, Northern Grey County, Cobourg, and others.

A snow squall watch was issued for Niagara Falls on Tuesday and into Wednesday with Environment Canada saying heavy snowfall with accumulations of 10 cm to 15 cm are possible.

Lake effect snow squalls over Lake Erie could move inland on Tuesday and may become mixed with rain expected on Wednesday.

Environment Canada says drivers should consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve.

“If you must travel, keep others informed of your schedule and destination and carry an emergency kit and mobile phone,” the agency says.

Looking ahead to the rest of the week there won’t be much relief in sight with snow in the forecast and highs between 1 C and -2 C through to Saturday.