Toronto advised to stay indoors amid bitter temperatures and extreme cold weather alert

Not only is Toronto absolutely covered in snow at the moment after a ferocious storm, but the city is now under an extreme cold weather alert due to biting temperatures that have settled in amid gusty winds and continued snowfall.

The alerts are issued if forecasts predict temps will drop to -15 C or lower and/or when the wind chill is slated to hit -20 C or colder.  Other winter weather-related factors may also be considered in the city's warning for residents to layer up, stay inside and check on one another.

Warming centres at 129 Peter St., 5800 Yonge St., the Exhibition Place's Better Living Centre and the Scarborough Civic Centre will be available for those experiencing homelessness or otherwise unable to escape the elements.

Extreme Cold Weather Alert – seek shelter, check on loved ones. News release: https://t.co/WwMayDvB9c pic.twitter.com/PaS3vfmFAJ

— City of Toronto (@cityoftoronto) February 16, 2021

As of 9 a.m. Tuesday, according to Environment Canada, the temperature in the city is -11 C, but feeling like a far more numbing -21 C with the wind chill, which is worsened by winds of up to 50 km/h and a chance of flurries.

The Weather Network puts it at a slightly more mild -9 C and feeling like -16 C at the time of publication, with things due to feel in the negative double digits overnight and into the morning.

It will stay subzero throughout the week as we are hit with even more snow — 15 to 25cm in the GTA — on Thursday and Friday, making heeding the current stay-at-home order that remains in effect in select regions of the province that much easier.

As usual, if you see someone vulnerable outdoors and in need of assistance, the City asks that you call 311 immediately as the chilly seasonal temps persist for the foreseeable future.