Toronto Faces Extreme Cold as Dangerous Arctic Blast Approaches
Toronto is set to endure a severe cold stretch as an Arctic air mass invades the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) from Friday afternoon through Sunday morning. Meteorologists have issued warnings about dangerous wind chills, which could plummet to as low as -30 degrees Celsius. This extreme cold poses a significant risk of frostbite on exposed skin within minutes.
Forecast and Conditions
The frigid temperatures represent a drastic change from the previous week’s weather. Current forecasts predict daytime highs sinking to the -10s and nighttime lows reaching -20s, exacerbated by high winds. Carl Lam, a meteorologist from 680 NewsRadio, indicates that this Arctic air will likely prompt extreme cold warnings across the region.
Precipitation and Wind Impact
Toronto will also experience predominantly cloudy skies with a chance of light snow showers. Accumulation could range from 1 to 2 centimeters on Thursday. Winds from the west, ranging between 30 to 50 km/h, will drive the afternoon temperature down to -4 degrees Celsius, contributing to a wind chill of -14.
- Thursday Night: Temperature drops to -11 degrees Celsius, wind chill near -20.
- Friday: Highs around -10 degrees Celsius, wind chill of -20.
- Overnight into Saturday: Temperatures fall to -23 degrees Celsius, with a wind chill hitting -31, marking a period of heightened frostbite risk.
Weekend Outlook
The forecast for the weekend indicates continued bitter cold. On Saturday, expect mostly sunny conditions but intense cold, with a high of -16 degrees Celsius and a low of -20. Sunday will see clouds as a U.S. storm system approaches, potentially bringing moderate snow and temperatures between -6 and -13 degrees Celsius.
Forecasters are urging residents to prepare for varying snowfall totals due to changes in the storm track. Stay updated with El-Balad for the latest weather alerts and forecasts during this extreme cold period.
