A storm system from the American deep south is headed for Toronto, ready to "spread its misery" on Friday.

But the region will get a preview of things to come Thursday night.

Environment Canada's Senior Climatologist David Phillips tells John Tory on the Live Drive, Toronto will get 5-10cm of snow.  Blowing snow will also be an issue with wind gusts up to 50km/h.

The snowfall will intensify overnight.  By Friday's morning rush, Phillips says the storm will be closeby, bringing heavy snow with high winds blowing it around.  He predicts Toronto will get another 15cm of snow through the day Friday.  The snowfall will taper off in the evening.

Toronto is under a snowfall warning from Environment Canada. The city has issued an Extreme Weather Alert, urging Toronto's homeless to find shelter.

Phillips doesn't expect to see any major variation in snowfall amounts between the 416 & 905 areas.

Clint Stibbe, with Toronto Police's Traffic Services tweeted Thursday that drivers shouldn't get behind the wheel Friday unless they have to.

GTA school boards tell Newstalk 1010 they're waiting until early Friday morning to make a call on whether or not to cancel buses or close schools.

Newstalk 1010 has you covered with Winter Storm Watch.  Click HERE for a list of closures & cancellations & weather conditions.