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Toronto on High Alert as Arctic Freeze Threatens Extreme Cold Snap

Toronto is bracing for a severe cold snap this weekend as an Arctic blast sweeps through the region. Meteorologists are sounding the alarm for dangerously low temperatures settling over the city from Friday through Sunday.

During this frigid stretch, city-wide wind chills are expected to plummet into the -30s, posing a serious risk of frostbite within minutes of exposure to the cold air. The combination of subzero temperatures and strong winds will make it feel even colder, with conditions becoming increasingly harsh.

This sudden drop in temperature follows a week of already bitter cold weather in Toronto and the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Daytime temperatures are forecasted to dip into the –10s, with nighttime lows reaching the –20s. As the Arctic air mass tightens its grip on southern Ontario, extreme cold warnings are likely to be issued to warn residents of the impending deep freeze.

Toronto residents can expect mostly cloudy skies with intermittent sunshine and the possibility of light snow showers on Thursday, resulting in minor accumulations. Blustery southwest winds will keep the afternoon temperatures feeling much colder than the actual reading, with wind chills around –14.

As the weekend approaches, the mercury is set to plummet further, with overnight temperatures dropping to –23 C and a bone-chilling wind chill of –31. Saturday will bring mostly sunny skies but frigid conditions, with a high of –16 C and a low of –20 C. By Sunday, clouds will gather as a storm system from the U.S. nears, potentially bringing periods of moderate snowfall. Highs on Sunday are expected to reach –6 C with lows of –13 C, though forecasters caution that snowfall amounts remain uncertain due to the evolving nature of the storm track.

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