Toronto‘s chief medical officer has issued the first extreme cold weather alert of the season for the city ahead of a drop in temperature Tuesday night.
Environment Canada said it’s expected to feel like -17 C late Tuesday into early Wednesday.
“A strong arctic ridge of high pressure will help to shatter temperature records in Toronto by Wednesday morning,” Global News meteorologist Ross Hull said.
“I’m expecting temperatures to plummet to -14 C possibly even -15 C by early Wednesday in Toronto and that would break the previous record at Pearson for Nov. 13 of -9.6 C in 1986. Thankfully the winds won’t be too strong Wednesday morning but the wind chill will still be between -16 C and -19 C for the morning commute.”
As part of the alert, the city will be opening a warming centre at Metro Hall, expanding street outreach and making more transit tokens available at shelters.
The warming centre will remain open until noon the day the alert in cancelled.
The city is also advising residents to limit outdoor time as much as possible, adding people experiencing homelessness, children, elderly people, and those with pre-existing health conditions are most at risk of cold-related illnesses.
The alert comes after the city saw its first snowstorm of the season Monday, with 13 cm being recorded at Pearson Airport.
A record low temperature for Nov. 12 was also recorded Tuesday morning, with conditions dropping to -8 C.
Residents are advised to call 311 or visit this website for additional information on respite centres and shelters.