A mixed bag of messy winter weather is expected to hit the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday.

Environment Canada has issued a freezing rain warning for the Greater Toronto Area and much of southern Ontario. The warning replaces a special weather statement issued over the weekend.

Periods of freezing rain are expected to begin Tuesday morning and last for several hours before changing to rain in the afternoon, the agency says.

However the city could see a mix of snow and freezing rain overnight as well.

The wet, icy weather is expected to make road conditions hazardous and could lead to power outages due to falling branches, Environment Canada said.

Hector Moreno, the city’s manager of transportation services, said that the city is prepared, with trucks set to deposit 130,000-150,000 litres of liquid brine on the roads tonight.

“That’s our first line of defence to prevent any bonding of ice that may come about,” Moreno said.

He said salt trucks will then be ready at strategic locations around the city starting at 5 a.m.

Commuters advised to leave extra time

TTC spokesperson Brad Ross said the transit agency is ready for the weather, with storm trains set to deploy anti-icing agents on exposed areas of railway outdoors. However he said people should still leave themselves extra time to get around.

Metrolinx spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins said GO Transit is “prepared for it all” when it comes to the messy weather. However she said GO bus passengers could face longer commute times.

“I would caution people, given the amount of freezing rain that’s expected throughout the region, that roads will be slippery. The trains will be fine but maybe the buses will be much slower,” Aikins said.

Flights could be impacted

Pearson International Airport is advising travellers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport Tuesday, as the messy weather could affect flights.

The precipitation is expected to last into Tuesday evening before tapering off. The temperature is expected to hover around the freezing mark between -1 C and 2 C Tuesday.