Jan. 2 weather: Snow, high winds and -12 C wind chills to hit southern Ontario

It looks like a cloudy day is up ahead, bringing snow, gusty winds and a sharp chill to southern Ontario.

Early risers hoping to catch Thursday’s 7:50 a.m. sunrise might be disappointed as cloudy conditions could obscure the view.

Ontario residents will wake up to mainly cloudy skies in Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, Hamilton and Durham.

Morning wind chills will hit -8 C in Mississauga, Brampton, Halton and Durham, with Hamilton feeling even colder at -12 C as wind speeds reach up to 50 km/h across the region.

There’s a 40 per cent chance of snow in Hamilton, rising to 60 per cent in Mississauga, Brampton and Halton and 70 per cent in Durham. While snowfall totals are still unclear, some areas in Ontario could see as much as 40 cm.

Daytime highs are anticipated to rise to 0 C in Mississauga, Brampton, Halton and Durham, while Hamilton will be slightly cooler at -2 C.

Sunset begins at 4:50 p.m.

By evening, skies will turn mostly cloudy as brisk winds return, reaching speeds of 40 km/h sweeps across the cities.

Temperatures will drop to -4 C in Mississauga, Brampton, Halton, and Durham and -5 C in Hamilton. Wind chills will add an extra bite, making it feel between -10 C and -12 C.

The rest of the week and into next week will feature predominantly cloudy skies, occasional snow, freezing temperatures and a few sunny breaks.

Daytime highs will fluctuate between -4 C and -5 C, while evening lows will hover around -4 C and -9 C.

If you’re heading outdoors, be sure to layer up to keep warm and cozy!