Freezing rain, ice pellets predicted Tuesday

The Toronto skyline is seen from the CTV News chopper on Monday, March 2, 2015.

Environment Canada has issued a weather warning for the Toronto area ahead of the freezing rain, ice pellets and snow forecast in the city Tuesday.

A low pressure system developing over the American plains is heading toward southern Ontario, bringing a "wintery mix of precipitation" to the area, Environment Canada said in a statement Monday.

The storm’s effects could be most dangerous in southwestern Ontario and the Niagara area, where precipitation will begin as snow or ice pellets then transition into freezing rain, the weather agency said. The freezing rain is expected to last for a few hours before the temperature eventually rises above 0 C, and the ice pellets turn into rain.

Anyone driving during the storm is asked to exercise caution and travel slowly.

Areas east of Lake Huron and north of Lake Ontario, including Toronto, are more likely to be hit with snow, but Environment Canada warns there could be ice pellets and freezing rain at times.

Approximately five to 10 centimetres of snow may fall during the storm.

The weather agency has not provided a timeframe for the precipitation, but based on the 24-hour-forecast, the snow is not expected to fall in Toronto until at least noon.

The following areas are under the Environment Canada weather statement:

Toronto under extreme cold weather alert

In addition to the Environment Canada warning, the City of Toronto issued an extreme cold weather alert on Monday morning.

The predicted high on Monday was -3 C, but Environment Canada expects a low of -13 C overnight. With the wind chill, it's expected to feel more like -20.

Additional services and shelter beds are made available for the homeless during an extreme cold weather alert.

Residents are asked to check up on vulnerable loved ones including the elderly, infants and the homeless.

Monday marked the city's 35th extreme cold weather alert of the season.