Messy mix of precipitation in Toronto, GTA for Monday

Following a brief tease of spring, it's back to winter weather as rain and freezing rain, mixed in with ice pellets, will make for a tricky morning commute as temperatures hover above zero for most of the day.

Toronto and the GTA plunged back into winter weather on following a day of double-digit springlike temperatures on Sunday.

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for most of southern Ontario, calling for a messy mix of precipitation on Monday that will impact both the morning and evening commutes.

“As temperatures climb above the freezing mark, especially for areas closer to Lake Ontario, precipitation will change over to rain,” says the weather agency. “Precipitation will transition to wet snow, with minimal accumulations, before ending in the evening.”

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The freezing rain wrapped up around noon and wet snow is expected through the afternoon. CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor says Toronto could see around 2 cm of snow by 6 p.m.

Temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark for most of the day, meaning the risk of freezing rain remains into the early afternoon as you move further away from the lakeshore.

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“Motorists are advised to exercise caution and give themselves extra time to reach their destination,” says Environment Canada. “Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become icy and slippery.”

A freezing rain warning is in effect for several areas including Hamilton, Peel and Halton.

Environment Canada is calling for 2 to 4 mm of ice accumulation in those areas before the freezing rain transitions to snow or rain, possibly mixed with ice pellets, around midday.