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A worker uses a snowblower to clear snow from Nathan Phillips Square at city hall following a heavy snowfall in Toronto in February, 2025.Arlyn McAdorey/The Canadian Press
While much of the country has been hit with bone-chilling cold, Toronto and other parts of Eastern Canada are bracing for heavy snowfall and other severe weather conditions.
Environment Canada predicts Toronto could get up to 40 centimetres of snowfall Sunday.
The weather agency has issued an orange winter storm alert for the much of the Greater Toronto Area, warning of significantly reduced visibility with strong wind gusts up to 50 kilometres an hour throughout the day before the system starts moving out overnight.
An orange alert is issued when severe weather is likely to result in significant damage, disruption or health impacts.
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The frigid temperatures caused by a polar vortex have blanketed much of Canada in recent days as some areas in the Prairies experienced wind chill temperatures into -40s. There are also orange alerts in place across the Prairies.
Severe cold weather has also led to flight delays or cancellations at most of Canada’s major airports.
More than 60 per cent of more than 900 flights arriving and departing Toronto Pearson International Airport were cancelled between Saturday and Sunday, according to the airport’s website. Another 10 per cent were delayed.
Pearson is advising passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport as the storm is impacting flight operations.
Several GTA municipalities including the cities of Mississauga and Oshawa, and the town of Whitby are closing their facilities such as recreation and community centres, and libraries throughout the day starting at noon.
Toronto Zoo says it has decided to close for the day due to the severe weather conditions, saying in a statement it is “taking precautions for the safety and well-being of the animals, staff, volunteers and guests.”
Sunday’s winter storm is the second major snowfall hitting Canada’s most populous city in a little over a week.
“Toronto residents are encouraged to stay home and avoid all non-essential travel today,” the City of Toronto said in a social media post Sunday morning.
“Get groceries and medications earlier in the day, if possible and only if you have to.”
