Coldest temperatures in years could come to Toronto as polar vortex descends on Ontario
After a warmer-than-normal January, February is off to a frigid start in parts of Ontario.
A polar vortex is descending over Ontario this week and some of the coldest weather is still to come.
A blast of arctic air will infiltrate the lower Great Lakes area beginning Thursday night, bringing cities like Toronto their coolest temperatures of the season so far. Wind chills will also reach dangerous levels, increasing the risk of frostbite.
The coldest period of weather looks to be between Friday pre-dawn and Saturday pre-dawn. Toronto may not see temperatures climb out of the minus double digits all day, and the forecast low is expected to be into the minus twenties.
While there were several days last January where the temperature dipped into -20 C territory, the last time the temperature fell below -22 C in Toronto was Jan. 31, 2019.
It’s not just the core temperatures that are concerning. With the windchill it could feel close to -30 C at the peak of the cold spell. Those kinds of wind chills increase the risk of frostbite to exposed skin, with only 10 to 30 minutes of exposure needed in the elements.
Toronto could also to come close to breaking daily temperature records. The record low for Feb. 3 is -25 C (set back in 1955) and for Feb. 4 it is -24.4 C (set in 1946.)
On Monday, the City of Toronto issued an extreme cold weather alert. Extreme Cold Warnings issued by Environment Canada extend from the Prairies to Labrador and blanket northern Ontario.
While this cold snap in the GTA may feel extreme, it is also expected to be relatively short-lived. The temperature is forecast to be back above freezing by Sunday, and into the mid-single digits by next week.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.