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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 15, 2016 | 30 Oakville digs out ofthefirst 15-20cmof thew inter by Karen Miceli Metroland West Media It' s here. The white stuff arrived early this week leaving weather specialists warning to ensure the snow that fell Sunday (Dec. 11) is shovelled before becoming rock hard as the air turns frigid for the rest of the week More snowfall is possible, with Environment Canada predicting a 40 per cent chance of flurries right through to Saturday (Dec. 17) and a 60 per cent chance of precipitation on Saturday But there is no severe weather expected through the week. The chill should melt some by Saturday bringing a mix of snow and rain to the area. Sunday's snowfall gave Oakville residents their first taste of what is expected to come this season, according to Environment Canada senior climatologist Dave Phillips. "This is just what we call the weather trailer for the big movie coming once winter starts," he said. "This could very well be the windup (to the) white Christmas you're dreaming of." Environment Canada issued a snowfall warning for Halton Sunday afternoon. Fifteen centimetres of snow was expected to hit the area overnight, with things predicted to taper off before rush hour Monday (Dec. 12) morning. "It is the first significant snowfall of the season," Phillips said. "We have to learn how to Oakville residents awoke to the first major snowfall of winter Monday (Dec. 12) morning. The snow, which began Sunday afternoon, dumped 15-20 centimetres across the GTA. Danny Vigneault, right, uses a snowblower to clear the end of his driveway on Westfield Trail in the Sixth Line/Dundas Street area. At left, a contractor with a front-end loader piles snow a s he clears the shopping centre parking lot at Dundas Street and Oak Park Boulevard. | Graham Paine/Metroland drive all over again." Flurries were forecasted for later in the week, with another significant snowfall expected overnight tomorrow (Friday), Phillips said. Temperatures are expected to get cooler mid-week, dropping to as low as -14 C tonight (Thursday), he said. This compares to the typical high and low of 1 C to -6 C for this time of year, he added. "It will not only look like winter, but it will feel like winter," Phillips said. Ontario Provincial Police were busy responding to minor collisions last Sunday evening, but had not seen anything serious, Sgt. Kerry Schmidt said around 6:30 p.m. "We're getting lots of calls," he said, noting several were for cars in ditches. -- with files from Hamilton Spectator For Ontario: Faster access to home and community care Adding over 2 million more hours for nursing, personal support, rehabilitation and caregiver relief services will make it possible for those with complex conditions to receive care where they want to be - at home or with their family. Learn how we're investing for a healthier Ontario at o n ta rio .ca /b etterca re . Paid for by the Government of Ontario [S' Ontario