Ontario braces for season's 1st winter storm

After a mild December, thefirst winter storm is starting to hit much of Ontario tonight, as an intense low-pressure weather system from Texas is rolling in toward the lower Great Lakes.

• Winter storm warning in effect for most of eastern Ontario, western Quebec
• Toronto braces for snowy, windy winter storm
• Winter storm warning in effect for Montreal area

The storm is bringingsnow, freezing rain and later, rain to the region.The rain/snow mix will likely make for a difficult Tuesday commute for some drivers.

Towns and cities across the region started seeing snowfall late Monday afternoon, with blowing snow starting in Toronto, Hamilton andKitchener.

Freezing rain started in London around 6 p.m., and freezing rain warnings are in effect forWindsor, Niagara andHamilton.

Sault Ste. Marie is expected to be hithard with upwards of 35centimetres of snow Monday night.

Environment Canada is warning of snowfall this evening for the Toronto area, which is expected to become heavy quickly. Accumulations of five to 10 centimetres are likely before the snow changesto ice pellets just after midnight.

A changeover to rain is expected by Tuesday morning, with a risk of freezing rain overnight.

Environment Canadameteorologist Steve Knott said the snow will likely arrive in the Toronto area sometime after 7 p.m. ET this evening before turning to a mix of rain and ice pellets by midnight.

"When the snow starts it could be fairly intense," said Knott. "I think that's going to be the greatest risk to motorists."

Lowvisibility caused by blowing snow might also pose a problem for drivers,with winds of up to 80kilometres an hour forecast for some areas of the province.

'If you don't have to drive, don't'

Toronto police Const. Scott Mills said police generally see hundreds of collisions during the first winter storm of the season.

"If you don't have to drive, don't," he told CBC News.

In areas closer to Lake Ontario, the precipitation is more likely to fall as rain. Environment Canada is calling for accumulations of three to four centimetres of snow for areas near the lake.Areas farther inland are more likely to see snow.

Toronto Hydro is calling in extra crews and extra staff in their control room to handle calls.

Winter storm warning for Ottawa

Other parts of Ontario will also see some combination of snow, rain orfreezing rain overnight Monday and into Tuesday. A winter storm warning is in place forthe Ottawa region, where fiveto 10centimetresof snow is expected tonight with accumulations reaching up to 25 centimetresby Tuesday.

The Sudbury area has been told to expect 20 to 35 centimetresof snow beginning tonight.

"Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow," Environment Canadasaid on its website.

Winter storm warnings are also in place for Sault Ste. Marie, Manitoulin, Blind River, Killarney, North Bay, and West Nipissing.

Special weather statements have been issued for Barrie and Kingston.

Environment Canada says it is closely monitoring the winter storm as it develops. Warnings may be issued if snowfall exceeds current expectations.

Air Canada issueda weather alert for today and tomorrow, warning that flights operating from Toronto's Pearson airport could be cancelled or delayed. Travellers are asked to check their flight status online before heading to the airport. Passengers whose flights are affected by the weather canrebook flights today or tomorrow without a penalty.