A blast of harsh winter weather swept across the Greater Toronto Area on Tuesday, March 17, bringing biting wind chills, flurries, blowing snow and wind gusts up to 70 km/h, with isolated gusts reaching 80 km/h in some areas. Environment Canada said Toronto faced a wind chill near -22 in the morning, while Mississauga saw wind chills of around -24, as strong northwest winds created dangerous conditions for commuters and pedestrians.
In Toronto, the federal weather agency said local blowing snow and lake effect flurries were expected to reduce visibility at times on Tuesday morning. Winds were forecast at 50 km/h, gusting to 70, before easing later in the day. A special weather statement for the city warned of gusty conditions and brief periods of reduced visibility, especially in exposed areas.
Across Mississauga and Brampton, the cold felt even sharper. Environment Canada forecast a high of -4 in Mississauga with a morning wind chill of -24, while Brampton was expected to drop to a low of -11 Tuesday night with wind chills near -18. The agency said northwest winds gusting to 70 km/h were expected to gradually weaken later in the day, though cold conditions were set to continue into the evening.
The worst of the wind was expected to ease by late morning, but forecasters said colder-than-normal conditions would remain in place. Toronto was forecast to stay below freezing on Wednesday, with a morning wind chill near -14, while Brampton was expected to feel like -16 early in the day.
