As Toronto digs out from winter storm, Environment Canada warns of frigid temperatures and blowing snow
Environment Canada warns that frigid temperatures and blowing snow will continue in GTA and Ontario through Saturday as a winter storm system continues to move across the region.
While a winter storm warning has ended for GTA, a weather advisory remains in place where frigid temperatures are expected to continue. Toronto was -14C as of Saturday morning, although with the wind chill it feels more like -26.
Environment Canada warned that strong wind gusts of 70 to 80 km/h could suddenly reduce visibility due to flurries and blowing snow. The city was also able to see extremely cold wind chills around -30 as well as an accumulation of snow from blowing snow on street surfaces.
Winter storm warnings remain in place for many other parts of Ontario.
Travel conditions could be dangerous due to the conditions, the agency said.
“Travel can be dangerous due to sudden weather changes. Be prepared to adapt your driving to changing road conditions,” the statement said. “If you have poor visibility while driving, slow down, watch for taillights, and stop. Surfaces such as highways, streets, sidewalks and parking lots can become icy and slippery.”
The adverse conditions are part of a storm system that has engulfed North America, closed bridges in Niagara Falls and wiped out hydroelectric power for thousands of Quebec customers.
The storm started with rain on Thursday and turned to snow on Friday. Officials in Toronto say it could take days to dig out of the snow and ice.
A streetcar driver works to remove ice from a track switch during a snow storm in Toronto on Friday, December 23, 2022. A winter storm warning is in effect for most of southern Ontario. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Arlyn McAdorey
The messy weather has also complicated travel plans for tens of thousands of people traveling for the Christmas weekend. WestJet canceled flights in Pearson on Friday because of the storm, and there have been reports of lengthy delays to train travel and dangerous conditions for drivers.
Toronto Pearson International Airport said nearly 40 percent of flights arriving and departing on Friday were canceled. The airport advises passengers to check their travel status before heading to the airport.
Light snowfall is expected in Toronto on Saturday, ending around noon. Then it is mostly cloudy with a 40 percent chance of snow flurries.
A high of -6C is expected today, although it will feel more like -16C this afternoon due to the wind chill.
The temperature is expected to be between -10 and -3C by Tuesday, rising to a high of 2C on Wednesday.
