After a mild few days, heavy snow is expected to hit Toronto on Wednesday.

Environment Canada has issued a snowfall warning for the city, with total amounts of 15 to 25 cm expected.

The snow is expected to begin early Wednesday and become heavy late in the afternoon. Heavy snow will continue through Wednesday night before tapering off on Thursday morning.



Environment Canada says the snow is the result of a low pressure system from the central U.S. that is forecast to track over eastern Ontario Wednesday night.

"Be prepared to adjust your driving with changing road conditions," Environment Canada says in the warning.

"Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic in urban areas."

It will be time to get the shovels out when the snow returns to Toronto this week. (John Rieti/CBC)

Colette Kennedy, meteorologist for CBC Toronto, said the winter storm will have a major impact on roads, especially for travel on Wednesday.

Conditions expected to be poor

"The conditions will be poor, no doubt about it," Kennedy said. "And the snow is going to be hanging around."

Toronto will see flurries and light snow move in on Tuesday night and then the snow will intensify as it falls through the day on Wednesday. Some of the heaviest snow will fall in the afternoon on Wednesday with potential rates of 1 to 3 cm per hour.

The low pressure system will affect Toronto into Thursday, but the snow will ease off by Thursday morning. Strong gusty winds on Thursday will blow snow around and reduce visibility considerably, Kennedy said.

Total snow accumulations for the Greater Toronto Area could exceed 15 cm because the snow event lasts into Thursday. Some areas, such as Peterborough, could see as much as 30 cm. The snow belt will also see larger snowfall amounts because strong winds on Thursday and Friday will be driving snow squalls.

Kennedy said the snow is expected to stick around through the weekend as cold air settles over the Toronto area in the wake of the storm. The next mild spell will occur next week when rain is expected to move in and the temperature begins to move back up above freezing.

Meanwhile, ahead of the snow on Wednesday, city crews are expected to apply salt brine to hills and bridges on Tuesday evening.

Motorists are urged to keep a safe distance behind the trucks and not try to pass.