Southern Ontario residents will have to contend with the frigid cold for a few more days before they get a reprieve from the latest blast of Arctic air.

GTA residents are waking up to wind chills as low as -30 and Environment Canada says things will improve slightly once the temperature rises after sunrise.

People should bundle up when they venture outdoors because a high of just -15 C is expected in the afternoon.

Overnight, the temperature will dip to -18 C and there is a 60 per cent chance of flurries.

An extreme cold weather alert that was issued by Toronto remains in effect. Until it is lifted, Metro Hall is being used as a warming centre, about two dozen additional beds are open at homeless shelters and street outreach workers are patrolling downtown streets at night.

People are asked to call 311 if they encounter a homeless person who is in need of help. If it is an emergency, people should call 911.

U.S. snowstorm disrupts air travel

At Pearson International Airport, operations are running normally but flights to or from New York, Washington, Boston and other cities in the northeastern U.S. are delayed or cancelled due to a major snowstorm. Passengers are asked to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

For the rest of the week, Environment Canada is predicting more chilly weather Thursday (a high of -15 C, but it will feel more like -25) and a high of -9 C on Friday, when the Arctic air begins to move out.

Seasonal temperatures – a high of -2 C and a low of -9 C – are expected to return Saturday.