Wind warning ends for Toronto as power outages continue throughout the province

Officials are cautioning residents about potential power outages during another day of wild winter weather in Toronto, with wind warnings in place.

Environment Canada’s warning that strong winds in the Toronto area could lead to power outages and disruptions to transportation on Monday has come to an end.

On Sunday, the national weather agency advised of a cold front that was expected to bring strong southwesterly winds to the city and region on Monday morning before becoming northwesterly in the afternoon.

“Areas with significant ice build-up from freezing rain will be most vulnerable. Utility outages are possible. Significant disruptions to services and travel are likely,” it read.

“Significant damage to buildings and/or trees is possible.”

‘Powerful and cold winds’

This morning, CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter said wind gusts could reach up to 90 km/h in parts of southern Ontario.

“These powerful and cold winds are also expected to generate impressive snow squalls off Lake Huron and Georgian Bay. Some of the traditional snow belts adjacent to these bodies of water could pick up 25 to 50cm of snow locally and face near blizzard conditions today and tonight,” he said, adding that Tuesday will see gusty weather with flurries by the evening, bringing between five and eight centimetres of snowfall to Toronto by Wednesday afternoon.

Latest Toronto forecast

Environment Canada is now forecasting flurries and local blowing snow with wind blowing northwest up to 80 km/h in Toronto.

Tonight could see a low of minus 8 C, which will feel more like minus 11 C with the wind chill this evening and minus 18 C overnight.

Tomorrow, it’ll be mainly cloudy with 40 percent chance of flurries and wind gusts up to 60 km/h.

The forecasted high is minus 3 C, which could feel like minus 18 C with the wind chill in the morning and minus 10 C in the afternoon.

On Tuesday night, Environment Canada says it’ll be mainly cloudy with a 60 percent chance of flurries and wind gusts from the west up to 50 km/h. the temperature will be steady near minus 4 C, but will feel like minus 12 C with the wind chill.

• For hourly and daily forecast, including snowfall totals, visit our weather hub here.

Power outages

Today’s windy weather has caused some power outages and residents are advised to contact the City of Toronto at 311 for assistance.

Toronto Hydro indicated that it was monitoring the situation and advised people to be cautious around downed wires and report them.

Ontario Provincial Police said hydro crews are working to restore power in some areas of the GTA, including Caledon.

“Poor weather conditions and outages mean traffic signals may be out and roads could be hazardous,” the OPP Central Region tweet read.

Flights impacted by weather

Air Canada, meanwhile said the “significant weather event” in parts of eastern Canada may impact flights today. Travellers are being urged to check their flight status ahead of time for any delays or cancellations.