A snow squall warning is in effect east of Toronto with seven to 14 centimetres of snow expected in the area by late this afternoon.
Environment Canada issued the alert, which stretches all the way from Durham Region in the west to Belleville in the east, on Thursday morning.
“Snow squalls cause weather conditions to vary considerably; changes from clear skies to heavy snow within just a few kilometres are common. Visibility will be suddenly reduced to near zero at times in heavy snow and blowing snow,” the national weather agency wrote.
Further east, a winter weather advisory has been issued for Prince Edward County and reaches as far as Kingston, with five to 10 centimetres of accumulation expected there.
CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter says that the initial round of snow in the eastern portion of the GTA will wind down early this afternoon but he notes that residents “may see a burst of flurries coming back around the dinner hour.”
No weather alerts are currently in effect for Toronto and an extreme cold warning issued on Tuesday has lifted.
The city experienced some of the coldest conditions it’s felt in years earlier this week as a disrupted polar vortex blasted arctic air into the region, with wind chills making it feel like -35 at some points.
The deep freeze extended far into the U.S. as well, bringing snow to some southern states that haven’t seen it in years.
“The frigid impact of a disrupted polar vortex is almost at an end,” Coulter said. “Temperatures are stabilizing and gradually moderating. It will still be chilly. Bundle up. But, the temperatures should be more manageable and less dangerous for outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.”
The temperature in Toronto will remain below freezing Thursday with an expected high of -5 C amid a chance of flurries. The mercury is expected to inch closer to 0 C throughout the weekend.
Toronto’s warming centres remain open.
