Southern Ontario continues to be gripped by a cold front of icy Arctic air that is forcing the modification of New Year’s Eve celebrations and setting new record low temperatures.
In Toronto, New Year’s Eve may be the chilliest in 50 years with the temperature expected to be –22 Celsius (–30 with the wind chill). The previous record was set in 1968 when the temperature was –21.8.
Toronto remains under an extreme cold weather alert which was issued on Christmas, and city officials are encouraging the public to check on family, friends and neighbours to ensure their safety in this frigid weather.
TRAVEL ADVISORIES
Environment Canada issued a winter weather travel advisory warning of poor visibility along the QEW and Gardiner Expressway Friday morning due to lake effect snow.
Toronto Pearson Airport says the weather is impacting flight schedules and travelers should expect delays or cancellations.
Winter weather is impacting flight schedules this morning. Please check your flight status with your airline or at https://t.co/sCj5fDvHJ1
— Toronto Pearson (@TorontoPearson) December 29, 2017
If snow squalls pose problems on the road, Environment Canada suggests turning on your vehicle’s lights and maintaining a safe distance from other drivers. “Rapidly accumulating snow could make travel difficult,” Environment Canada said in a weather advisory regarding snow squalls in Wiarton and areas north of the GTA, which could see 20 to 40 centimetres of snow. “Public Safety Canada encourages everyone to make an emergency plan and get an emergency kit with drinking water, food, medicine, a first-aid kit and a flashlight.”
