Toronto, GTA under winter storm warning; dip in temperatures prompts alert
Posted February 1, 2015 8:09 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Toronto residents are under yet another extreme cold weather alert and will likely face a messy commute on Monday morning as Environment Canada issued a winter storm warning for much of the GTA.
Snow and blowing snow are expected to create hazardous conditions in Toronto, Burlington, Oakville, Halton Hills, Milton, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Richmond Hill, Markham Pickering, Oshawa, southern Durham region, Hamilton and the Niagara region.
Snowfall totals are expected to reach 15 cm and gusty winds will greatly reduce visibility.
“Consider postponing non-essential travel until conditions improve,” the national forecaster said.
“Surfaces such as highways, roads, walkways and parking lots may become difficult to navigate due to accumulating snow. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow.”
Meanwhile, Toronto’s medical officer of health announced an extreme cold weather alert on Sunday, triggering extra services for the city’s homeless.
Alerts are issued when temperatures are forecast to reach -15 C or colder, according to Environment Canada.
The temperature is expected to fall to -15 C overnight, with a wind chill near -25.
During extreme cold weather alerts, the city opens up two 24-hour drop-in centres and extra shelter beds.
The alert is the ninth of the season, covering 12 days.
Click here for more information on cold weather alerts.
Click here for the full weather forecast.
