Extreme cold hits the GTA, snow squall warning ends for Toronto
Posted December 18, 2019 8:37 am.
Last Updated December 18, 2019 11:48 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
A snow squall warning issued for Toronto by Environment Canada has ended, but is still in effect for parts of the GTA.
The agency issued the warning for Toronto just after 9 a.m., saying “periods of brief but intense snowfall are expected. Visibility will be rapidly reduced due to the heavy snow combined with blowing snow.” The warning ended just before 10 a.m.
Meanwhile, the City of Toronto issued an extreme cold weather alert Wednesday morning as temperatures are expected feel closer to -20 C with the wind for most of the day.
Extreme Cold Weather Alerts are issued when the temperature in the daily forecast suggests temperatures will reach approximately -15 C or colder, or when the wind chill is forecast to reach -20 or colder.
Snow squall warnings and watches are in place for northern parts of the GTA and cottage country, as well as Mississauga and Brampton.
“Lots of weather alerts in effect today, even affecting portions of the northern York, northern Durham regions with snow squall warnings. Lots of snow, blowing snow as well … areas like Newmarket, Georgina and Uxbridge could end up with as much as 15 centimetres by tonight,” 680 NEWS meteorologist Jill Taylor explained.
Environment Canada had also issued a winter weather travel advisory for the GTA including Toronto. It has since been lifted for Toronto.
“Brief periods of heavy snow are possible this morning as a cold front sweeps through the area,” the national weather agency said in its advisory.
Taylor said Toronto is only expected to see about two centimetres of snow.
The city’s Extreme Cold Weather Alerts activate local services that focus on getting and keeping vulnerable residents inside. A warming centre is open at Metro Hall by 7 p.m. the day an alert is called, and remains open continuously until noon on the day an alert is terminated.
Residents are being advised to dress in layers, not expose skin to the elements for long periods of time, and to check on vulnerable friends and relatives.
