Environment Canada has issued a winter weather travel advisory for Toronto and its surrounding regions, with periods of heavy snow expected to cause messy driving conditions on the roads.

Between five and 15 centimetres of snow are expected to accumulate between Monday morning and evening, depending on the area. 

The federal weather agency says the snow will likely come in two distinct blasts, with a smaller dump anticipated in the morning before a break in the afternoon. The more significant snowfall is forecast for the evening and night before it finally tapers off into light flurries.

There is a chance those flurries could turn to freezing drizzle, Environment Canada says.

“Motorists should expect hazardous winter driving conditions and adjust travel plans accordingly,” the advisory says. “Visibility may be suddenly reduced at times in heavy snow.”

Temperatures are expected to hover around the freezing mark for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, before warmer daytime highs make their way to the GTA later in the week.