Jan. 3 weather: Snowsquall risk for parts of southern Ontario

There are more snowsqualls and cold winds on the way adding to a blast of winter weather to end the work week in southern Ontario.

Environment and Climate Change Canada says Friday will see more flurries following a day of snowfall advisories in Mississauga, Brampton and Halton Hills with snowfall starting in the morning.

Residents can expect a 30 to 40 per cent chance of flurries early in the day in Toronto and across the GTA, with a daytime high of around 0 C that will feel more like -8 C with the wind chill.

But some areas will also see a risk of snowsqualls on Friday including Caledon, Newmarket, parts of Durham Region, Kitchener, Guelph, Barrie, Orillia and Peterborough.

Temperatures are expected to drop throughout the day with an overnight low of around -12 C with the wind chill in Mississauga. Caledon will drop to -15 C while some parts of southern Ontario could reach as low as -26 C with the wind chill.

Environment Canada issued a snowsquall warning for parts of Ontario Thursday saying up to 60 cm of snow could fall in areas to the north and west of the GTA including Owen Sound, Grey County and Barrie.

Visibility on affected roads could be suddenly reduced to near zero in periods of heavy and blowing snow, the warning reads.

Drivers across Ontario should postpone non-essential travel until conditions improve.

“Rapidly accumulating snow will make travel difficult,” Environment Canada says.

“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Road closures are possible.”