GTA under a winter weather travel advisory, heavy snow expected

Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for many parts of the Greater Toronto Area.

The department says heavy snowfall with accumulations of five to 10 centimetres is expected to fall on Thursday night and into Friday morning. 

The snow is projected to taper to light flurries early Friday afternoon as a band of lake effect snow off Lake Ontario shifts to the south.

Motorists travelling through Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Halton Hills, Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Hamilton, St. Catharines and the Northern Niagara Region are being advised to expect hazardous winter driving conditions and to adjust any travel plans accordingly.

The City of Toronto has opened four of its warming centres as temperatures dip below zero on Thursday night.

The temperature on Friday is predicted to remain steady near -2 C, with the wind chill making it feel like -9 C.

Environment Canada is warning commuters about the significant impact the snow could potentially have on rush hour traffic in urban areas. 

They are also reminding motorists to slow down when driving in slippery conditions and to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles on the road.