Arctic surge bringing ‘very cold conditions’ to Toronto this weekend
Posted January 17, 2025 11:23 pm.
Last Updated January 18, 2025 6:40 pm.
Winter is making its presence felt as double-digit wind chills grip Toronto and the GTA this weekend.
Environment Canada is warning residents to be prepared for very cold conditions with temperatures “colder than those that have been seen the last several years.”
An arctic surge making its way from the Prairies is expected to bring a 12 degree temperature swing to portions of southern Ontario by Saturday night.
Large parts of Northern Ontario are under extreme cold weather warnings as temperatures there are expected to drop 24 degrees in just 24 hours with wind chills feeling like -40 to -45.
“Falling temperatures means the potential for everything to ice over Saturday night into Sunday morning,” said CityNews Chief Meteorologist Natasha Ramsahai.
Daytime highs over the next four and a half days will be in the minus double-digits but it will feel more like -20 to -32 in some areas with the wind chill.
“It’s those overnight lows that will be dangerous with a high risk of frostbite into next week.”
The City of Toronto has already opened its five warming centres at Spadina Road, Elizabeth Street, North York, Metro Hall and Scarborough. The centres are activated once the temperature reaches -5 C or when Environment Canada issues a winter event warning.
The City opened two additional facilities at Cecil Community Centre and Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre on Saturday night.