'Pretty nasty' winter storm to bring bitter cold, snow to GTA this weekend

A "pretty major winter storm'" heading for southern Ontario is forecast to bring bitter cold and snowfall to the GTA and surrounding regions over the weekend, according to Environment Canada.

The system is currently making its way across the northern U.S. and is expected to reach the Toronto area before dawn on Saturday.

Total snowfall on Saturday should be fairly moderate in the city itself, said Peter Kimbell, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada. Between five and 10 centimetres are likely in areas close to Lake Ontario, with less snow accumulating the further north one gets.

Environment Canada has issued winter weather watches and warnings for regions west of Toronto. Hamilton and the Niagara region are expected to see the most signifcant snowfall, with 15 to 25 cm accumulating throughout Saturday.

In addition to snow, the storm is forecast to bring "pretty nasty" winds of between 30 and 50 km/h and frigid temperatures to the GTA.

"The key thing is that it's going to be very cold, starting on Saturday night and Sunday. " Kimbell said. "And there will be blowing snow as well. So that will make for difficult driving conditions."

A high of12 C is expected on Saturday, though wind chill will make it feel more like23. Sunday will be even colder, with a daytime high of 15C and wind chill values approaching25.

North of Toronto, around the Barrie area, will feel like30, Kimbell said.

While snowfall should peter out across southern Ontario by Sunday morning, the cold and wind is forecast to stick around into Monday.