Strong winds blow through GTA as region breaks temperature record

The GTA broke a temperature record on Thursday as warmer weather moved in early in the day, but it was followed by a round of strong winds.

A wind warning for Toronto and the GTA was issued by Environment Canada, calling for wind gusts up to 90km/hr, that warning has now ended.

“A Colorado Low moving through Ontario today will bring strong winds throughout most of northeastern and southern Ontario,” said Environment Canada.

The strong winds arrive in the late morning and continued into the early evening.

The national weather agency warned the winds could result in power outages and debris.

GO transit says the severe weather and wind could result in potential delays across the rail network. Metrolinx says they have maintenance teams on standby around the region deal with any downed trees or debris that could cause issues.

“For the first time this afternoon, we are also putting specially trained teams on some of our GO trains that have the ability to react quickly and remove most debris that could create problems,” said Metrolinx spokesperson, Matt Llewellyn. “On the trains they’re riding, we expect they will be able to significantly reduce the length of any potential delays.”

CityNews meteorologist Jill Taylor said the temperature hit 16 C at Pearson International Airport by mid-morning, surpassing the previous high of 15.4 C set on this date in 1984.

However, the temperature pendulum will swing back to reality overnight, as the mercury drops to a low near 1 C.

Then on Saturday, get ready for some snow. The GTA could get up to five centimetres as the temperature hovers near 0 C.