‘A rollercoaster ride:’ Freezing rain, snow expected in Toronto on Thursday

A pedestrian hides under her umbrella as wet snow swirls through downtown Toronto Wednesday, March 9, 2011. (Darren Calabrese/The Canadian Press)

Snow and freezing rain is expected in the Greater Toronto Area on Thursday, arriving just in time to snarl the morning commute.

Environment Canada said snow on Thursday morning may turn to freezing drizzle by the afternoon, bringing about two to four centimetres of snowfall to the city by Thursday night.

Wind chill values will make Toronto feel like -12 on Thursday morning but the temperature is expected to rise above the freezing mark to a high of 2 C in the afternoon.

Friday will see a risk of flurries and a mix of sun and cloud, along with a daytime high of -3 C.

“We continue to experience some pretty up and down weather, a rollercoaster ride of temperatures and an active weather pattern,” CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said Wednesday.

Thursday’s snowfall is expected to begin shortly before 5 a.m.

“Some freezing rain or mixing is possible late morning,” Coulter said.

“Winds will also pick up and drive in some milder air (but) much cooler though for Friday. Watch for a few lake effect flurries to cap off the work week.”

More significant snowfall is on the way this weekend.

Coulter said Toronto could see between five and 10 centimetres between Saturday and Sunday morning.