You’re not imagining things — it really is cold. In fact, numerous temperature records across Ontario were broken on Thursday as frigid air continues to hover across the province.
“This will end up being the coldest December since 2000 for southern and eastern Ontario, and southern Quebec,” Global News Chief Meteorologist Anthony Farnell said Thursday.
READ MORE: A look at how grossly cold it’s been across Canada
Farnell said Toronto’s -22 C temperature Thursday morning broke a 57-year-old record and Kingston’s low of -26 C broke a 114-year-old record. He also said records were broken in Peterborough, Barrie, North Bay, Kitchener, Windsor and Niagara Falls.
Farnell said Lake Simcoe has frozen over and other lakes have seen a big increase in ice coverage since Wednesday.
WATCH: How to keep your dogs warm this winter
In Toronto, animal control staff said a missing dog was found dead after being exposed to the elements.
The Toronto Transit Commission reported the chilly temperatures created technical problems for 45 of the TTC’s older-model streetcars, forcing the vehicles out of service.
A GO Transit spokesperson told Global News the deep freeze has caused minor delays on various trains due to door closure issues, and in one instance the temperature caused a section of rail track to break.
WATCH: Extreme cold causes Toronto transit challenges. Ashley Molnar reports.
Environment Canada forecasted an overnight low of -18 C on Thursday night, adding it will feel like -25 C with the wind chill. On Friday, the forecast calls for a daytime high of -10 C
So when can we expect a break from the bitter cold? Farnell said there should be some relief coming after the first week of January.
— With files from Kamil Karamali