Toronto breaks 59-year-old low temperature record, Canada

With chilling -23 °C (-9.4 °F), the city of Toronto, Canada woke up to record-breaking cold January 5 today. Officials are advising people who will be out to cover up due to the risk of frostbite developing within minutes. The Extreme Cold Weather Alert issued on December 25 continues.

The temperature at Pearson International Airport in Toronto dropped to -23 °C (-9.4 °F) at 06:00 local time today, breaking the previous record of -20.6 °C (-5.08 °F) recorded on January 5, 1959. The wind chill felt as cold as -34 °C (-29.2 °F).

Environment Canada says the daytime high today will reach -16 °C (3.2 °F) and an overnight low -25 °C (-13 °F). The wind chill will feel like at least -36 °C (-32.8 °F). The temperatures will remain similar on Saturday, January 6, with daytime highs near -17 °C (1.4 °F) and the overnight low near -23 °C (-9.4 °F).

The city has two new 24/7 warming centers, at Metro Hall and Regent Park Community Centre. All of them will remain open until the extreme cold weather ends.

Check on family, friends, and neighbors

During extremely cold weather conditions, please call or visit vulnerable family, friends, and neighbors, especially isolated seniors.

Other groups at risk include:

• People with pre-existing heart conditions or chronic respiratory illness
• Infants and young children
• People on certain medications
• People who work or do physical activities outside for extended periods
• People who are marginally housed or homeless

Featured image credit: Michael Gil