Toronto is preparing for its coldest night so far this winter, with bitter temperatures and strong wind chills prompting a frostbite warning. Toronto Star
Toronto is bracing for an intense blast of winter cold, with forecasters warning residents to prepare for what could become the coldest night so far this season. Environment Canada issued a yellow-level cold warning Thursday morning for the city and nearby areas, citing dangerous wind chill values.
Officials warned that frostbite can occur “within minutes” on exposed skin as temperatures plunge overnight.
“Watch for colour changes on fingers and toes, pain, numbness, a tingling sensation, or swelling. If present, move indoors and begin warming,” the agency said.
Temperatures drop well below normal
Thursday brought a daytime high of -10 C, far colder than the seasonal average of -2 C. Conditions will worsen after sunset. Overnight lows are expected to fall to -25 C, with wind chills making it feel closer to -32.
“January continues to deliver all those old-fashioned winter feels. So much cold and snow. And now we need to prepare for more bitter and even dangerous wind chills ahead,” said CP24 meteorologist Bill Coulter.
Coulter noted that Toronto’s coldest day so far came on Jan. 23, when wind chills reached -28. “But, we haven’t yet dipped into the -30s,” he said.
Cold holds firm into Friday
The deep freeze will continue into Friday, with a forecast high of -11 C and wind chills near -30. Coulter said little new snow will fall this week following last weekend’s record snowfall.
The weekend outlook calls for sunshine but little relief. Saturday is expected to reach -9 C, while Sunday should climb slightly to -7 C. Both days will remain colder than normal.
Records could fall
Climatologist Dave Phillips said the overnight low could challenge long-standing records at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The coldest Jan. 29 on record there occurred in 1952, when temperatures dropped to -23 C.
“This is the coldest moment of this winter,” Phillips said. “This winter has been cold. (It) started in November, December, and here we are in January. We can’t shake it.”
Downtown Toronto recorded its coldest Jan. 29 in 1873, when temperatures fell to -27 C. Phillips also noted that the city has gone 11 straight days without temperatures rising above freezing.
“The duration wears you down. We’re clearly living through frigid fatigue. It just absolutely is relentless,” he said.
Why the cold won’t let go
Phillips explained that a massive high-pressure system over northern Ontario and Manitoba continues to push cold air southward.
“It’s huge, massive. And it’s just taking all this cold air and rushing it down,” he said. “Cold air is thick like molasses. It hugs the ground. You can’t kick it out.”
City expands warming support
In response to the dangerous conditions, the City of Toronto activated eight warming centres for Thursday night. A new temporary site opened at 150 Sherbourne St. at 5 p.m.
The city also added 50 shelter spaces, bringing the total available spots to 615 during the cold spell. Outreach teams continue wellness checks and distribute blankets, warm clothing, and sleeping bags to people outdoors.
