MONTREAL - A winter storm warning has been issued for the Montreal area along with much of southern Quebec beginning Tuesday evening.

High winds and a mix of snow are expected to hit the Montreal area, according to Environment Canada. Up to 10 cm of snow and close to 20 mm of rain are expected.

An Environment Canada forecast earlier Tuesday predicted up to 20 centimetres of snow.

Forecasters say the system is tricky to predict and it remains difficult to determine whether Montreal will get hit with the brunt of the storm.

A low pressure system building over Ohio is expected to move toward northern New York state Tuesday evening and reach Quebec Wednesday morning.

Mixed rain and snow will change over to snow tonight in southern parts of the province. North of the St. Lawrence river, only snow is expected with a chance of freezing rain.

Heavy snow, strong winds and blowing snow accompanying the system will affect several parts of central and eastern Quebec.

Over the north shore, heavy snowfall will be followed by rain at times heavy Wednesday afternoon.

The storm is expected to continue through Thursday.

Montreal normally gets 40 centimetres of snow in December, but has been hit with only 15 so far this month.