Environment Canada has issued snowfall warnings for the National Capital Region as heavy snowfall is expected Monday afternoon and into the night.

Ottawa and surrounding areas could see snowfall accumulation of up to 20 centimetres, and the national weather agency is warning of low visibility in areas of heavy snow as well as snow covered and icy roads.

The snow is expected to advance into eastern Ontario beginning Monday afternoon and become heavy at times in the evening with peak accumulation of two to three centimetres per hour.

It will taper off to flurries late in the night followed by a risk of freezing drizzle Tuesday morning, Environment Canada said.

Although the weather agency is still unsure where the heaviest snowfall may occur, it said most parts of the region can expect up to 15 centimetres of snow with 20 centimetres possible locally. Ottawa and Gatineau are expected to see 15 to 20 centimetres.

Motorists should expect hazardous driving conditions and “adjust travel plans accordingly,” the agency added.

“The visibility will be obstructed,” meteorologist Michelle Fleury told CBC. “But the good thing is there is not going to be that much wind, so we don’t really expect blowing snow.”

Snowfall warnings are in place for much of eastern Ontario, including Ottawa, while most of southwestern Quebec is under weather advisories.