What to know
- Environment Canada updated the snowfall warning for the Greater Toronto Area, with 60 centimeters of snow now forecasted.
- The agency says peak snowfall rates of 5 to 10 cm per hour is expected today.
- Temperatures on Sunday could drop to minus 21 with windchill.
Environment Canada has updated its weather alert for the Greater Toronto Area again, now with 60 cm of snow — or more — expected to accumulate on Sunday and overnight into Monday.
“Local accumulations may near or exceed 60 cm, particularly for southern parts of the City of Toronto and Mississauga,” Environment Canada says on its website.
The weather agency delivered the update shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday afternoon. It adds that peak snowfall rates of 5 to 10 cm per hour is expected today.
Earlier on Sunday, the weather agency warned up to 50 cm of snow could fall before increasing the total amount.
On Saturday, it upgraded the winter storm warning from Yellow to Orange with 40 centimeters of snow in the forecast.
An Orange warning means the weather will probably cause significant damage, disruption, or health impacts with major and widespread impact that could last days.
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Temperatures on Sunday will reach a high of minus 8 C and a low of minus 11 C. With windchill, temperatures could drop to minus 21 C. Monday is set to see a high of minus 8 C and a low of minus 13 C, with temperatures dropping to minus 22 C with windchill.
According to meteorologists, this could be the “storm that defines the entire winter.”
Meanwhile, south of the border, NBC News reports more than one million people living in the Southern United States are without power. Approximately 185 million people are under winter weather alerts.
Toronto declares Significant Weather Event
Shortly before 5 p.m., the City of Toronto declared a Major Snowstorm Condition and Significant Weather Event, the second time it has done so this winter.
“Torontonians are encouraged to refrain from unnecessary travel and stay in place wherever possible. Continuous plowing is happening around the clock across Toronto. Where possible, residents and visitors are asked to consider transit as road conditions may be diminished,” the city said in a statement.
Under this weather event, the city says it will focus snow clearing efforts on prioritization for community safety.
The city says it will post regular updates about snow clearing on it toronto.ca/winter.
Toronto schools closed Monday
On Sunday afternoon, the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board announced all schools will be closed on Monday due to the Significant Weather Event declared by the city.
