Heavy snow, freezing rain prompts special weather statement for parts of Ontario

It’s not officially winter until Dec. 21 but Ontario residents can expect snowy weather this week.

While snow is forecast for the Mississauga, Brampton and GTA this week, parts of Ontario are bracing for heavy snow or freezing rain.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued special weather statements and advisories for areas to the north of the GTA on Monday.

A low pressure system could bring more than 15 centimetres of snow starting early Monday afternoon for Sault Ste. Marie and then the North Bay area later in the evening. The heaviest snowfall is expected through the evening and overnight hours, before tapering off on Tuesday.

The advisory includes Blind River, Elliot Lake, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and French River areas.

In parts of eastern Ontario, a special weather statement was issued for freezing rain.

Freezing rain could start Monday night as temperatures hover around zero degrees Celsius overnight and Tuesday morning, the statement from Environment Canada reads.

Icy conditions are possible, especially on elevated surfaces such as bridges, overpasses and untreated roadways.

The freezing rain statement includes western Algonquin Park, Ottawa, Burk’s Falls, Smiths Falls, Perth, Eastern Lanark County, Haliburton, Minden, Barry’s Bay and Bancroft areas.

The Algonquin area may also receive five to 10 cm of snow locally by Tuesday.

Drivers in these areas should take care on the roads.

“Prepare for quickly changing and deteriorating travel conditions,” the advisory states. “If visibility is reduced while driving, slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.”

A map from Environment Canada shows areas in grey where heavy snow is expected. The area in red may get freezing rain.

Lead photo: Chris Peeters