Toronto warming centres at full capacity over weekend as temperatures plummet

The City of Toronto says its four warming centres were at capacity over the weekend as temperatures dipped to -12 C. 

Officials say warming centres across Toronto opened last week to provide walk-in access to a safe, warm place to rest and snacks for those who may be experiencing homelessness. 

They say all four warming centres — located downtown, in North York and Scarborough — were packed throughout the weekend.

Toronto’s four warming centres have a combined capacity of a little less than 180 people, and the city has not said whether it will open more spaces.  

City councillors had voted last year to lower the threshold for when warming centres will be opened to -5 C or when freezing rain, snow or storm warnings are issued.

Warming centres opened last winter only when temperatures dipped to -15 C, or -20 C in Toronto.

Toronto will see a guaranteed high of -9 C on Monday, but it will feel much colder throughout the day, around -17, when accounting for the wind.

The rest of the week will see more of the same. Tuesday calls for flurries and a high near -8 C. Temperatures will hover around the -10 C mark for the rest of the week, with daytime air slightly warmer and a colder feel at night.

With files from Michael Ranger of CityNews