There is a winter storm warning now out for Orillia.
Flights are being cancelled and provincial police are urging drivers to stay home Wednesday as a wicked snowstorm heads for southern Ontario.
Environment Canada upgraded a storm watch to a winter storm warning predicting the worst snowstorm in three years.
The weather agency’s senior climatologist Dave Phillips says gusting winds of up to 70 km/h along with blowing snow will create blizzard-like conditions and make travel dangerous.
Phillips says Wednesday will be the season’s first snow day at many southern Ontario schools and encourages those who can work from home to avoid venturing outside.
The massive weather system that started in Texas will hit Windsor this evening and the Toronto area around midnight, continuing its track east to Kingston.
It is expected to dump between 20 and 30 centimetres of snow onto the region, with areas near the lower Great Lakes receiving up to 40 cm before tapering off Wednesday afternoon.
Flights have been cancelled from Pearson International Airport to U.S. destinations where the snow has already hit.
Ontario Provincial Police are urging drivers to check the weather before leaving home and to avoid unnecessary travel.
Police are warning that road conditions could change abruptly and recommend that any drivers stranded on highways should stay in their cars and call a tow truck or 911.
