Southern Ontario bracing for arrival of 'dangerous' blast of cold weather
No matter what the groundhogs may say, winter’s not over yet.
Toronto and most of Ontario are in for a frigid bout of winter weather, according to Environment Canada.
The national weather agency issued an Extreme Cold Warning Thursday for a large swath of the country, including the GTA.
While the temperature in Toronto sat at around 1 C Thursday afternoon, it’s expected to plummet overnight.
“In the wake of a strong cold front, wind chills are expected to reach minus 30 tonight into Friday morning,” Environment Canada said. “After moderating during the day Friday, wind chills may reach minus 30 again Friday night into early Saturday morning.”
The agency advised people to cover up any exposed skin, in order to avoid frostbite, which can develop within minutes. It also warned that the risk from the extreme cold is greater for young children, older adults, those with chronic illnesses, those who are without proper shelter, and those working or exercising outdoors.
“We add in the winds and it could be minus 31 in terms of the wind chill and certainly that is dangerous and hypothermia and frostbite in a matter of minutes. So it's quite quite serious,” Environment Canada Senior Climatologist Dave Phillips told CP24.
He said the city will see a wild swing in temperatures over the next few days.
“It's about as close as we get to what we call an Eastern Chinook, because we're going to go from Saturday morning of minus 19 and 30 hours later, it's going to be what, plus three in Toronto. So it's going to arrive quickly and depart just as fast.”
Overnight temperatures are expected to reach -19 C and -21 C Thursday and Friday respectively, though the temperature will feel like the -30s with the wind chill.
A high of -13 C is expected during the day on Friday, warming up to a high of -4 C on Saturday and a high of 3 C on Sunday.
GROUNDHOGS OFFER MIXED PREDICTIONS
Ironically, the Extreme Cold Warning comes on Groundhog Day, when people across North America turn to a slightly less scientific method for forecasting the weather in the hopes of glimpsing an early spring.
Tradition holds that if the groundhog emerges and sees its shadow, it will go back into its den and winter will continue for six more weeks. But if it doesn’t spot its shadow, spring will arrive early.
Signals were decidedly mixed among Canada’s famous four-legged weather predictors Thursday. In Quebec, Fred la Marmotte died just a day before he was set to do his duty. In a jam, the townspeople turned the job over to a young boy holding a stuffed groundhog toy. The boy conferred with his friends and called for six more weeks of winter.
Groundhog Club handler A.J. Dereume holds Punxsutawney Phil, the weather prognosticating groundhog, during the 137th celebration of Groundhog Day on Gobbler's Knob in Punxsutawney, Pa., Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)
Nova Scotia’s famous groundhog, Shubenacadie Sam, saw her shadow, portending six more weeks of winter.
Only Ontario’s Wiarton Willie turned out to be an optimist this year. The groundhog did not spot his shadow, heralding an early spring.
While the groundhogs hold a revered place in tradition, Phillips cautioned not to put too much stock in their predictions.
“This is about as silly as it gets. It is pure groundhog-wash,” Phillips joked.
Still, he said the enduring tradition speaks to Canadians’ obsession with weather.
“I mean, this is what we live for. We say ‘is it going to be a white or green Christmas? Is there going to be a January thaw? Is the groundhog going to see its shadow? Is March going to come in like a lion or like a lamb, April showers make for flowers,’” Phillips said.
“It's not real science, but it gives us a hope that maybe what we've had, if we don't like it, will improve.”
In terms of actual science, he said “it’s about that halfway point -- there's more winter behind us than ahead of us. And so I think the days are getting longer, it sort of validates what we're sensing.”
He offered some advice to those looking to the groundhogs for a sure prediction, however.
“I wouldn't bet my pension on it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Town of Fort Nelson, B.C., ordered to evacuate due to wildfire
The entire town of Fort Nelson, B.C., as well as the nearby Fort Nelson First Nation, has been ordered to evacuate due to an out-of-control wildfire.
Snowbirds in Vancouver for puck-drop flyby as Canucks face Oilers
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be performing a flyover across downtown Vancouver at the start of tonight's Stanley Cup playoff game between the Canucks and the Edmonton Oilers.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
Video shows naked raccoon catching B.C. family by surprise
When Marvin Henschel spotted a strange and hairless creature wandering through a front lawn in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, he could barely believe his eyes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Out-of-control wildfire prompts evacuation alert for Fort McMurray, Saprae Creek Estates Friday night
An evacuation alert was issued for two Wood Buffalo communities Friday night, as crews battled an out-of-control wildfire near Fort McMurray.