Areas of southern Ontario are receiving snow and freezing rain as a series of low-pressure systems move in from the United States, creating a slippery morning commute for some.

Temperatures are expected to rise this afternoon, however.

Environment Canada has issued freezing rain warnings for much of southern Ontario as the warm front moves along a northeasterly path. Precipitation will change from snow to freezing rain and then just rain in many areas.

Although warnings were issued for much of southern Ontario, they have been gradually lifted as the system moves northeast and temperatures rise.

According to an update from Environment Canada issued around 12:30 p.m. ET, most of the areas still affected are north and west of Toronto. A wide swath of southern Ontario, from Kingston to Parry Sound, remains under a freezing rain warning.

Around midnight, Toronto began receiving snow, which changed to freezing rain just ahead of the morning commute. A total of 150 flights were delayed or cancelled at Toronto's Pearson International Airport and several traffic collisions were reported around the city. However, the warning for the city has now been lifted.

A number of schools across Ontario cancelled bus service earlier Monday.

The Ontario Provincial Police reported almost 500 collisions and were urging motorists to be careful on roads, the Canadian Press reported.

As the system moves northeast, it will bring snow to an area stretching from Georgian Bay down to Peterborough and regions along the eastern shores of Lake Ontario. This precipitation will change to freezing rain this afternoon and evening.

Temperatures in Toronto were expected to rise this afternoon to a high of 2 C as the freezing rain turns to rain. Tuesday could see highs of 8 C and thunderstorms.

Warnings for Quebec

Environment Canada also issued freezing rain warnings for southwestern Quebec for Tuesday.

Manitoba was expected to see light snowfall Monday although four to eight centimetres were expected in the north.

Southern Alberta is expected to see colder temperatures beginning tomorrow, as the mercury drops by 15 degrees or more. Parts of the province are already experiencing the cold, and Environment Canada issued a wind chill warning for the area around Rainbow Lake in the northwest, with –40 C forecasted into Tuesday morning.