Heavy snow, freezing rain prompts special weather statement for parts of Ontario [Video]

It’s not officially winter until Dec. 21 but Ontario residents can expect snowy weather this week.

While snow is forecast for the Mississauga, Brampton and GTA this week, parts of Ontario are bracing for heavy snow or freezing rain.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued special weather statements and advisories for areas to the north of the GTA on Monday.

A low pressure system could bring more than 15 centimetres of snow starting early Monday afternoon for Sault Ste. Marie and then the North Bay area later in the evening. The heaviest snowfall is expected through the evening and overnight hours, before tapering off on Tuesday.

The advisory includes Blind River, Elliot Lake, Sudbury, North Bay, Timmins and French River areas.

In parts of eastern Ontario, a special weather statement was issued for freezing rain.

Freezing rain could start Monday night as temperatures hover around zero degrees Celsius overnight and Tuesday morning, the statement …