Heavy snowfall to hit Toronto, much of southern Ontario on Wednesday: Environment Canada

Commuters could see a messy drive home Wednesday evening, with heavy snow expected to hit much of southern Ontario — including the Greater Toronto Area.

Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning Tuesday night ahead of a major winter storm set to hit the area on Wednesday.

The forecast calls for the "significant snowfall" to begin late Wednesday afternoon and continue until Thursday morning. Environment Canada said the city could receive about 15 centimetres of snow. The snow will be heavy at times, it added.

Wednesday night will see the heaviest snowfall, the federal weather agency said. At its peak, snowfall rates could be two to four centimetres per hour.

Snow may become mixed with ice pellets late Wednesday evening and overnight in some areas, but it is expected to taper off gradually on Thursday morning.

Environment Canada warned the snowfall will affect the Wednesday evening commute. Visibility could be poor during heavy snow and drivers should be prepared to adjust to changing road conditions, the weather agency said. 

The following areas are currently under snowfall warning: Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham, Mississauga, Brampton, Uxbridge, Durham Region, Pickering, Oshawa, Newmarket, Georgina, York Region, Oakville, Halton Hills, Milton, and Hamilton. 

A winter storm warning is in effect for Barrie, Collingwood and Hillsdale for Wednesday evening into Thursday. Total snowfall amounts could reach up to 30 centimetres, Environment Canada said. At its peak, snowfall rates could exceed five centimetres an hour. 

The City of Toronto has declared a significant weather event and major snowstorm condition starting 10 p.m. on Wednesday. 

While these declarations are in place, parking on roads designated as snow routes is banned to make way for winter maintenance equipment, the city said in a news release Wednesday morning.

These routes are designated by signs that are up all year round, said Barbara Gray, the city's general manager of transportation services, during a news conference Wednesday. 

Vehicles parked on snow routes will be towed and owners could be fined up to $200, the city said. 

The significant weather event declaration means the city will be exempt from provincial service levels for winter maintenance, as it will take longer than usual to clear city roads, sidewalks and bicycle lanes. 

The city is anticipating more snow on the weekend, with a further 35 centimetres of snow possible by Sunday night, Gray said.