Toronto under special weather statement with wind gusts of up to 80 km/h possible today

A dog walker fights the wind along with blowing sandy conditions on Woodbine Beach in Toronto on Monday, February 25, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto is under a special weather statement with strong winds expected this afternoon and evening.

Northwesterly winds gusting 70 to 80 km/h are expected later today, Environment Canada said in its advisory.

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“Southwesterly winds are expected to become northwesterly this afternoon with the passage of a cold front,” the special weather statement read.

“Winds will diminish later this evening into the overnight.”

The national weather agency warns that the high winds could toss loose objects and cause tree branches to break. Power outages are also possible on Wednesday, Environment Canada said.

Toronto is expected to see rain and a high of 13 C on Wednesday, followed by a chance of showers and a high of 8 C on Thursday.