Canada still not done with winter as relentless cold, dangerous wind chills and mixed weather grip the country

Canada remains locked in an unforgiving winter, with extreme cold, hazardous wind chills and a patchwork of snow, freezing rain and fog sweeping across the country, as weather experts warn the harsh conditions are far from over and brief warm spells will offer little lasting relief.

According to CTV News website, David Phillips of Environment and Climate Change Canada described this winter’s recurring weather systems as unforgiving.

“It was not just cold, but it was snowing, and often you don’t get the two together,” he said.


After experiencing the warmest fall on record, cities including Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal have spent November through February under colder-than-normal conditions.

Environment Canada has issued a yellow cold warning for Toronto, Ottawa and surrounding areas, citing extreme wind chills that could lead to frostbite. Temperatures hovered around −15 C in Toronto and −17 C in Ottawa on Sunday afternoon(February 8), with readings forecast to climb slightly under sunny skies. With temperatures around −12 C, Quebec City is forecast to see overnight wind chills between −15 and −22.

Despite daytime sunshine, Environment Canada warns wind chills could plunge to −30 to −40 overnight in nearby areas through Monday morning. Residents in those parts were asked to take precautions and monitor for cold-related symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, muscle pain and weakness, numbness, tingling, swelling, colour change in fingers and toes, or pain.

According to CTV News website, Thunder Bay is milder at around −5 C with wind chills near −13, and a 40 per cent chance of flurries continuing overnight into Monday morning.

Montreal, currently at −16 C and not under a cold warning, is still expected to see wind chills near −20 this evening, dropping to −26 overnight.

Fog warnings cover parts of southwestern Manitoba and central to southeastern Saskatchewan, with poor visibility expected.

A freezing rain alert is also in effect for Saskatoon and surrounding areas.

“Travel will likely be hazardous in some locations. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times,” the alert said.

Phillips said any brief warm-up in eastern Canada will be short-lived, with cold conditions returning nationwide by the final week of February.