'Significant winter storm' expected in Waterloo region starting Thursday and into weekend

A "significant winter storm" is expected to hit Waterloo region, Guelph and Wellington County starting late Thursday and into the weekend, Environment Canada says.

• Latest Waterloo Region conditions from CBC Weather

The weather agency has issued a special weather statement and is warning rain or snow will begin late Thursday and become rain Friday morning.

Then "temperatures are expected to plummet" on Friday which would result in "a potential flash freeze for locations that receive rainfall."

The forecast is calling for a high of 7 C on Friday but a low of10 C. Saturday and Sunday are also forecasted to have overnight lows of12 C.

As the temperature falls quickly on Friday, Environment Canada says the area will also see strong winds and snow, which could be heavy at times.The temperatures Friday night into the weekend "will likely be the coldest of the season to date," Environment Canadasaid.

"Blizzard conditions are possible late Friday into the weekend for areas downwind of Lake Huron and Georgian Bay," the weather statement said.

"A multi-day lake effect snow event is expected into the weekend in the wake of the system for locations east of the Great Lakes."

'Being prepared is the key this week'

The weather could disrupt travel plans in southwestern Ontario,warning preparedness meteorologist Gerald Cheng said.

"I'm nervous about this storm because I know that everybody wants to travel, especially this time of year," Cheng told CBC London."I also know that people want a white Christmas. I just don't know if they are going to be really happy about it."

• Snow trends: will it be a white Christmas?

Cheng recommends people get inlast-minute errands ahead of the weekend to avoid having to travel.

"I can't stress enough that being prepared is the key this week, and if you can run those errands early in the week, that will be much better," he said.

The special weather statement also warns "travel conditions may become dangerous" and people should consider altering plans through the weekend.

"While there is high confidence in a high impact winter storm, the details regarding wind speeds, precipitation types and amounts remain highly uncertain at this time," the special weather statement said, noting people should continue to monitor local forecasts for more information as the weekend approaches.