Extreme Cold Alert! Brace Yourselves, Toronto!

Experts are warning that more snow and frigid temperatures are on the way for Toronto this week, just as residents were busy digging out from the last snowstorm that dumped over 40 cm in parts of the city a few days ago. 

Meteorologists expect an Alberta Clipper to bring light snow to Toronto by around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, with total accumulations of about 5 centimeters expected by Wednesday night.

According to long-time residents, this January is delivering those nostalgic winter vibes they haven’t experienced in some time. Last week’s record-breaking snowfall and the bitter wind chills that followed will have Torontonians reaching for thermal underwear and the thickest outerwear.

The national weather agency reports that temperatures in Toronto will feel like -17°C in the morning and -8°C in the afternoon on Wednesday.

Temperatures are set to continue dropping for the rest of the week, with daytime highs expected to be -5°C on Thursday, -9°C on Friday, -12°C on Saturday, and -10°C on Sunday. Overnight from Friday to Saturday, wind chills may dip into the minus 30s at Pearson Airport. Residents are advised to consider these conditions when choosing their clothing for the day. The cold winds will also contribute to lake-effect snow in certain traditional snow belts.

In response to the expected extreme cold, the city has opened seven warming centres and expanded outreach services.

The warming centres are located at:

1.       81 Elizabeth St.
2.       885 Scarborough Golf Club Rd.
3.       136 Spadina Rd.
4.       349 George St.
5.       12 Holmes St.
6.       Surge Site (Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre)
7.       Surge Site (Cecil Community Centre)

In addition to the warming centres, the city has dispatched extra street outreach teams to encourage individuals to seek shelter indoors.

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