Ontario (Rajeev Sharma): Large parts of Eastern Canada, including Toronto, are preparing for another round of severe winter weather, with meteorologists warning of intense snowfall, strong winds and continued bitter cold through Sunday.
Environment Canada has forecast that Toronto could receive as much as 40 centimetres of snow over the course of the day, raising concerns about hazardous travel and widespread disruptions. An orange-level winter storm warning has been issued across much of the Greater Toronto Area, signalling the likelihood of significant impacts to daily life, infrastructure and public safety.
According to the national weather agency, heavy snowfall combined with wind gusts approaching 50 kilometres per hour will sharply reduce visibility and create treacherous road conditions. The storm system is expected to weaken overnight, but not before dumping substantial snow across urban and suburban areas.
This latest blast of winter follows an extended period of extreme cold linked to a polar vortex gripping much of the country. In recent days, parts of the Prairies recorded wind chill readings plunging into the minus 40s, prompting similar weather alerts across western provinces.
The harsh conditions have also taken a toll on air travel. Operations at major airports across the country have been disrupted, with Toronto Pearson International Airport among the hardest hit. More than half of the scheduled arrivals and departures between Saturday and Sunday were cancelled, while additional flights faced delays.
Airport officials urged travellers to monitor their flight status closely before leaving for the terminal, cautioning that changing weather patterns could lead to further schedule changes throughout the day.
Municipal authorities in Toronto advised residents to remain indoors unless absolutely necessary. In a statement issued Sunday morning, the city encouraged people to limit travel, stock up on essentials early if required, and exercise caution when navigating snow-covered streets and sidewalks.
The impending snowfall marks the second major winter storm to strike Canada’s largest city in just over a week, intensifying pressure on snow-clearing crews and emergency services already stretched by ongoing frigid temperatures.
