A major winter storm is hitting Ontario and Quebec, with residents being warned to reconsider travel plans as conditions may become hazardous.

The Canadian Ministry of the Environment has issued weather warnings across most of Ontario and many areas of Quebec, stating that heavy snowfall, strong winds, and freezing rain are expected in some areas.

In parts of southern Ontario, rainfall followed by a drop in temperatures could lead to rapid freezing, while strong winds and blizzard conditions are anticipated in some regions.

Meanwhile, several school boards, including the Toronto District School Board and boards in Ottawa and London, Ontario, have closed schools for today.

On the other hand, WestJet canceled flights late Thursday proactively at airports in Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia where the storms are expected to hit these areas.

The airline said that cancellations apply to all flights scheduled to arrive and depart from Toronto Pearson International Airport starting Friday at 9 a.m. local time until the end of the day - other affected airports with service interruptions include airports in Ottawa, London, Montreal, and Waterloo.

In Quebec, many areas are expected to see a mix of heavy snow, rain, and strong winds, while some areas may experience freezing rain.

Meteorologists warned that the weather forecast in both provinces could lead to power outages.

Hydro One, Ontario’s largest electricity utility, said technical teams are ready to respond to any power outages.

Toronto Hydro also reminded customers to update their emergency kits and said additional crews are ready to support customers over the weekend.