Toronto braces for wild weather swing as warm spell collides with icy winds
Toronto is bracing for a sharp shift in weather as unseasonably warm temperatures give way to strong winds and possible thunderstorms. Environment Canada has issued a special weather statement for Friday, warning of gusts up to 90 km/h alongside heavy showers. Despite the conditions, Toronto Pearson International Airport expects no major disruptions to its operations.
The day will begin with unusually mild conditions, reaching a high of 12 C. But by the afternoon, a cold front will sweep in, bringing a sudden drop to -2 C by evening. Wind gusts of 70 km/h to 90 km/h are forecast, first with the showers and thunderstorms, then again later as the cold front strengthens.
Monica Vaswani, a warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, noted that warm spells in early January are not rare. However, the rapid temperature swing and high winds pose risks. The city has advised residents to take precautions, such as clearing eavestroughs and shovelling snow away from catch basins to prevent basement flooding. Property owners should also check for foundation cracks or gaps near windows where melting snow could seep in. By Saturday, the weather will settle into a mix of sun and cloud, with a high of 2 C and a low of -2 C. Rain or snow remains possible, but the extreme winds are expected to ease. Meanwhile, Toronto Pearson anticipates a busy day, with over 127,200 passengers arriving and departing on Friday. Airport officials have stated that operations should remain unaffected by the weather.
The cold front will mark the end of the brief warm spell, leaving Toronto with cooler and more stable conditions by the weekend. Residents are urged to secure loose items outdoors and monitor drainage around their homes to avoid flooding. The airport’s normal operations suggest minimal impact on travel plans, though passengers are advised to check for updates.
