An Arctic air mass has settled over southern Ontario, plunging much of the region into a deep freeze that is bringing teeth-chattering wind chills of about -30.
In Toronto, the wind chill is expected to remain near -28 for the rest of the day and into Wednesday morning.
Environment Canada ended its wind chill warning but people are still being encouraged to limit their exposure to the cold and bundle up when they head outdoors.
Toronto remains under an extreme cold weather alert that was issued by the city to increase services for the homeless. Shelter spaces have been added and Metro Hall is being used as a warming centre.
Schools kept children indoors for recess and CAA fielded calls from hundreds of motorists whose vehicles wouldn't start in the cold.
Streetcars slowed by cold
The cold weather is causing problems again for the TTC's fleet of aging streetcars.
Customers were told to expect longer than normal wait times on all streetcar routes due to weather-related equipment problems. Shuttle buses were brought in to supplement streetcar service.
The same problems occurred during a similar deep freeze earlier this month.
Pearson prepares for cold
South of the border, icy temperatures and snow are causing major problems for air travellers. Hundreds of flights have been cancelled at airports along the eastern seaboard, including some to and from Toronto.
Airlines are asking passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.
At Pearson International Airport, the cold is affecting employees who work outside but the airport prepared in advance and operations are going “quite well," said Greater Toronto Airports Authority spokeswoman Trish Krale.
Krale said extra staff was brought in and buses are parked on the air field so outdoor employees can warm up.
The GTAA and airlines were widely criticized earlier this month when extreme cold in Toronto and heavy snow in the U.S. grounded hundreds of flights and stranded thousands of passengers.
Critics accused the GTAA of being unprepared for the cold.
