Toronto is currently under a travel warning due to winter weather, with a heavy snowstorm expected to hit the area later today.

According to Environment Canada, the city may see between 5 to 10 cm of snow, with maximum snowfall rates ranging between 2 to 4 cm per hour.

Environment Canada said in its warning, "Heavy snow will flow through the area this afternoon, and most snow accumulations may occur within just two hours due to high snowfall rates."

The warning covers the entire Greater Toronto Area and most of southern Ontario, with some areas north of the GTA under a snow warning, and snow accumulation expected to reach about 15 cm in the Muskoka area.

The agency warned that travel today may be hazardous due to sudden weather changes, and snowfall could have a "significant impact" during the afternoon peak.

Strong northwest winds reaching speeds of up to 70 km/h are also expected this evening and night. Environment Canada said the combination of strong winds and fresh snow could reduce visibility in some areas.

The warning stated: "Be prepared to adjust your driving to changing road conditions."

The city and Toronto Transit express their readiness

The city said on Wednesday that its crews would deploy salt trucks overnight to prepare roads ahead of the snowfall. Toronto Pearson International Airport also said its snow removal equipment is on standby ahead of the expected snowstorm.

Vince Sviraza, Director of Operations and Maintenance in Transit Services, told CP24, "Once snowfall and accumulation begin, we will send our salt to various arterial collector roads throughout the city."

In a press release, the TTC said it is ready to get customers home in the afternoon despite the storm.

The transit agency said: "With up to 10 cm of snow expected in Toronto this afternoon, TTC is taking proactive measures to keep customers and employees safe while providing as much service as possible."

It confirmed that extra staff and maintenance vehicles have been deployed across the system, and additional buses will be deployed along certain routes.

The agency said: "This strategic action aims to maintain service levels in areas where heavy snowfall or other adverse weather conditions cause significant slowing, detours, or disruptions."

About 56 bus stops located in areas where buses might be taken out of service due to the storm may be taken out of service. TTC said customers can check if their stop is in service by visiting its website.

Snow is expected to gradually taper off to lake-effect flurries later this evening, especially in northern and western parts of the Greater Toronto Area.

Regarding temperatures, Toronto is expected to see a high of -1°C today and an overnight low of -4°C, with a high of -0°C on Friday with possible gusts, followed by highs of -4°C on Friday and Saturday, and 1°C on Sunday.