Strong Winds Take Over Toronto: Brace for Gusts, Snow, and a Sudden Chill

A Windy Start to Your Monday

Toronto braces for strong winds, snow squalls, and a sharp temperature drop today. Get the latest forecast and wardrobe tips to stay warm and safe!

Toronto is under a Special Weather Statement today, with strong southwesterly winds howling across the city. Gusts of up to 70-80 km/h are expected throughout the day, so be prepared for some wild weather! These high winds could toss around loose objects, snap tree branches, and even lead to power outages. If you’re heading out, hold onto your hats—or better yet, consider wearing one that’s securely fastened!

This morning’s temperature is sitting at -5°C, with a wind chill that feels like a brisk -12°C. Humidity is moderate at 64%, and the barometric pressure is falling, currently at 101.0 kPa. While the skies are mainly clear right now, don’t let that fool you—there’s more action on the horizon.

The forecast calls for clearing skies this morning, but those winds will ramp up, reaching speeds of 40 km/h and gusting up to 80 km/h. By midday, temperatures will rise slightly to a high of 0°C, though the wind chill will still make it feel like a nippy -11°C.

Tonight: Snow Squalls and a Temperature Plunge

As we transition into the evening, a strong cold front will sweep through, bringing bursts of heavy snow and blowing snow. Visibility may drop significantly at times, so take extra care if you’re on the roads. Local snowfall amounts of 2-4 cm are possible, and there’s a risk of snow squalls late this evening and into the night.

Winds will remain fierce, with southwesterly gusts of 80 km/h shifting to northwesterly gusts of 50 km/h by late evening. Temperatures will take a sharp tumble, plunging to a low of -12°C, and the wind chill will make it feel like a frigid -19°C overnight. Definitely a night to bundle up, folks!

Tuesday: Flurries and More Cold

Tuesday brings a mix of sun and cloud with a 40% chance of flurries throughout the day. Winds will be lighter than today, but still breezy, coming from the northwest at 20 km/h and gusting up to 40 km/h. The daytime high will be -6°C, but with a morning wind chill of -20°C, it’ll feel downright frosty. By the afternoon, the wind chill will ease slightly to -11°C.

Tuesday night will see flurries continuing and a low of -5°C. Keep those shovels handy—winter isn’t done with us yet!

Wednesday: A Slight Reprieve

By Wednesday, we may see a brief break from the deep freeze. The forecast calls for cloudy skies with a 60% chance of flurries and a high of +1°C—warm enough to start melting some of the snow. However, temperatures will dip again overnight, with a low of -7°C and a 30% chance of flurries.

Historical Weather Trivia

On this day in Toronto’s weather history, the record high temperature was a balmy +13.2°C, set in 1916—a far cry from today’s icy conditions! The record low, however, plunged to -26.1°C in 1897. It’s safe to say we’re somewhere in the middle of Toronto’s weather extremes today.

Wardrobe Wisdom

With powerful winds and snow in the forecast, today calls for heavy-duty winter gear. Opt for a windproof parka, thick gloves, and insulated boots. A scarf or neck warmer will also help protect your face from that biting wind. Tonight, add an extra layer if you’re venturing out, as the wind chill will make it feel downright Arctic.