Major snow squalls throughout the GTA

Monday, January 26, 2015, 11:11 AM - Bad driving conditions started off the week in the Greater Toronto Area, courtesy of a band of snow squalls.

The band appeared overnight Sunday into Monday, with a major band sinking through the western GTA just as people are getting up to prep for their morning commute, with the snow continuing after most people were at work.

"The band is expected to slowly shift southward toward Stoney Creek this afternoon, then possibly further south toward the Niagara region by this evening," Environment Canada said mid-Monday morning. Snow squall warnings cover Hamilton and Peel Region, while a watch is in effect for the Niagara region.

People in those communities could get as much as 15 cm of snow before it's all said and done (locally higher amounts), but most of the rest of the western GTA and Niagara region could see significant amounts.

Weather Network meteorologist Tyler Hamilton said the squalls are slow-moving, driven by winds in the relatively light 30-40 km/h range, easing through the evening and overnight.

If you have to go anywhere during the day today, take your time and drive to the conditions.

The next chance of significant snow is Thursday, when a clipper is set to bring widespread snow. Check back, as amounts are still being worked out, and brace for a big dip in temperatures this coming weekend to see out the month of January.

Meanwhile, forecasters are keeping a close watch on a nor'easter that is set to impact northeastern North America Monday and Tuesday.

Parts of the U.S. are bracing for what could be an impact of historic proportions, while Atlantic Canada will feel the storm's wrath as well. Get our updated coverage here.

WATCH: The science behind lake-effect snow.