Southern Ontario is in store for what could be the first blast of significant wintry weather this season.

Environment Canada issued a swath of special weather statements for the region on Sunday – including the GTA and Ottawa – as an Arctic cold front swept through and set the stage for more widespread snow on Monday.

The weather agency was cautioning travellers to prepare for “brief heavy snow” along the front on Sunday, which began during the afternoon hours in some areas. Snow associated with an Alberta clipper system will blanket the region with more snow to start the work week.

Environment Canada’s special weather statement for the City of Toronto says an Alberta Clipper will bring a “general snowfall of 5 to 10 cm" by Tuesday morning.

“Although localized amounts of 10 to 15 cm are possible, the snowfall warning criterion of 15 cm snow in 12 hours is not expected to be reached," the statement says.

Eastern Ontario – including Ottawa – can expect a general 8 to 12 cm of snow on Monday, according to Environment Canada.

Although localized areas could see higher amounts of snow, the agency says snowfall warnings are not expected.