3.3°C Light Rain 
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TORONTO - After last month's sunny, warm temperatures broke records in some communities for being the first snowless November in decades, the province finally got what was due.
Ontario felt the first bitter bite of winter weather as people awoke to a snowstorm Wednesday morning.
"Welcome to winter in Canada, it won't be the first one this year," said Krista Kealey, vice-president of communications for the Ottawa Airport Authority, referring to the storm, which led to the cancellation of more than 40 flights in the capital.
The heavy snow dusted southern, central and northeastern Ontario late Tuesday night but by early Wednesday, conditions transformed into a messy mix of snow, rain and sleet in some areas, causing car accidents on highways and flight cancellations at major airports.
About four to eight centimetres of snow fell across Toronto on Tuesday night, while 10 centimetres of snow had been recorded north of the city in the York Region area.
Environment Canada lifted its storm warning for Toronto, Peel and Halton Region by Wednesday afternoon.
The warning remained in effect for the Lake Simcoe area, Peterborough, Kingston, the Ottawa area and from Sault Ste Marie to North Bay.
"There's still a lot of snow hanging back through lower Michigan that is going to work its way through the area, so there will be some breaks in precipitation but it will be some time before it trails off," said Environment Canada meteorologist Geoff Coulson.
The back end of the storm was expected to move out of the area by late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
But parts of Ontario would likely see a pendulum of snow, rain and snow again as temperatures dip Thursday morning.
"We will see a transition from rain shower conditions back to flurries as the mercury starts to drop," said Coulson.
Airports in Ontario experienced delays and cancellations on Wednesday as crews aggressively worked to de-ice planes.
About 100 flights were cancelled at Toronto Pearson Intentional Airport, and flights at the Toronto Island Airport and Ottawa International Airport also faced cancellations and delays.
"It's safe to say the weather is definitely having an impact," said Kealey.
She said the airport is used to battling bad conditions, and that seasoned crew members were prepared for the first blast of winter weather.
"They've been planning, anticipating the first major snowfall," said Kealey.
Many passengers stranded at airports flocked to find other means of transportation.
Via Rail quickly added more cars as its business-class section filled up.
The wild weather was also a nightmare for commuters, as drivers skidded into guard rails and drove into ditches.
"Blowing snow, ice, rain, pellets, heavy snowfall throughout the morning, whiteouts - you name it - we've had a bit of everything," said Sgt. Dave Woodford, the media officer for the highway safety division of the Ontario Provincial Police.
Motorists were experiencing winter-driving amnesia, as many ignored basic rules such as driving slower in treacherous conditions and keeping a distance.
"People do not slow down, they think it's not going to happen to them and they're following vehicles too closely," said Woodford.
He said there were numerous traffic accidents.
For drivers, the commute Thursday and Friday is still going to be a challenge.
Coulson said Southern Ontario would see icy patches Thursday morning as cold air settled in the region, and more snow squalls are expected later in the week off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
The first blast of wintry weather was a shock to many in Ontario who experienced an unusually warm November.
Higher than normal temperatures, which saw some communities hit the high teens, and sunny conditions made the normally brisk month feel more like spring.
For Toronto, it was the first November without snow since records began in 1847.
