Rain, snow and major cool down ahead for Ontario

Sunday, April 13, 2014, 7:31 PM -

We hope you've enjoyed the warm temperatures Ontario because things are about to change in a pretty drastic way. 

Temperatures are expected to take a major nose-dive come Tuesday, once a vigorous cold front pushes through the region. This will be quite the change from Sunday, where many communities basked in the warmest temperatures yet this year.

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Just how cold will it get? Weather Network Meteorologist says, "Wednesday morning will be downright cold." Ontario will go from mid-20 °C high's on Sunday, to near 0°C mid-week.

Accompanying this cold front will be significant rainfall, snow in the north (traces for southern Ontario), and gusty winds province-wide. 

"Monday will be warm again for southern Ontario and Quebec," says Weather Network Meteorologist Gina Ressler. "But the cold front will advance through the day bringing rain and possible thunderstorms."

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The heaviest rainfall will be along a long line from the shores of Georgian Bay stretching well into Quebec, with lesser, but still significant amounts, further south and north. 

Rainfall warnings were widespread along those parts of the province, while a special weather statement for rainfall was in effect elsewhere, which included the National Capital Region and most of the Greater Toronto Area Sunday.

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The City of Toronto itself, however, was not included, as amounts there and in the Niagara region are not expected to be significant, compared to communities along Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, and stretching east inland. 

Rainfall will continue through the day Monday, before a cold front pushes in late evening into the overnight, switching rain to snow across southern Ontario. 

"Snow may be an issue for the Tuesday morning commute across the GTA," adds Ressler. 

CLICK BELOW TO WATCH: How storms are predicted

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For areas north of Sudbury, however, snowfall will begin Monday once temperatures begin to dip. Up to 15 cm could fall in parts of the Nickel Belt by Monday night. 

No severe thunderstorm warnings are currently in place, although a severe thunderstorm watch and warning was briefly in effect in the Sarnia area Saturday evening - incidentally, the first of the season for Ontario. 

Any additional rain will prove to be a headache for people already dealing with rising water levels.

RELATED: Evacuations in Ontario, Quebec as rivers rise

In eastern Ontario, the city of Belleville declared a state of emergency due to flooding risk, continuing this weekend, and other communities and conservation authorities province-wide are keeping an eye on their watersheds.

Be sure to check back as we continue to monitor this system. For a list of watches and warnings, visit our Alerts page.