Tracking a storm that could affect the Monday morning commute in the GTA

Friday, December 6, 2013, 12:10 PM -

After above seasonal and even record breaking temperatures, winter-like weather is making a comeback in southern Ontario.

After hitting mid teen temps in S. ON...its back to reality today. #Colder air & sustained #snowsqualls on deck next week! #WinterRoarsBack

— Chris Murphy TWN (@chris_m_twn) December 6, 2013

Environment Canada issued a statement early Friday warning of the risk for heavy snow squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.

Frigid temperatures will settle into the GTA through the weekend with a system that could affect the region early Monday.

"There will actually be two lows - one tracking closer to the East Coast and another tracking into the central lakes," says Weather Network meteorologist Doug Gillham. "Whether one takes over to become the dominant low will be critical in the amount and type of precipitation for the GTA."

At this point, it looks like a few centimetres of snow Sunday night followed by the threat for ice pellets and/or freezing rain early Monday, Gillham adds.

"Models have underestimated how cold the arctic air mass is, so concern is that we will not get as warm as guidance suggests (which takes us to 4°C on Monday). However, the European model has consistently had the warm air arriving after a period of snow and mixed precipitation."

Due to the timing of this system (could impact the morning commute) and location (including the GTA and then Ottawa and Montreal), meteorologists at The Weather Network will continue to watch this closely.

"While the storm will not cripple travel (minor to moderate precipitation amounts), it will impact some of our largest population centres," Gillham warns.

Visit the Alerts section of the website to keep on top of watches and warnings across the country.