Currently in Toronto — December 15th, 2022
The weather, currently.
An icy winter blast is moving in! A weather advisory has been issued for much of the GTA as we track a Colorado low that will slowly edge into the region tonight. The commute tomorrow morning will be slow due to wet snow mixing with ice pellets. There is also a risk of freezing rain. The western edge of the GTA (Burlington, Halton, Milton) is also under a freezing rain warning. The type of precipitation that dominates the area will depend on the temperature. We should see it transition to wet snow, heavy at times but with a high of 1°C, the risk of freezing rain redeveloping is quite possible. Plan on extensive delays for the drive home as well. Unnecessary travel is not recommended. The wind will also be a concern. Easterly gusts 40-70km/h. That means some areas in tandem with a coating of ice on powerlines and tree limbs - will see power outages. 10-15cms is possible by Friday morning. Areas a little north and west of the city (away from the lakes) could see additional accumulations.
Thursday night: cloudy with snow and a low of 0°C.
What you need to know, currently.
The eastern two-thirds of the US will be sent into a deep freeze, just days before Christmas, due to a blast of extremely cold air.
This bitter wind challenges records that have stood since the 1980s and stress energy grids, as subzero temperatures make their way from the northern Rockies to the East.
The cold will come to North America in two waves. The northern Rockies and northern Plains will face the brunt of the blast, though it will push its way to the south and east in the days leading up to the holiday. Then, the cold will head to the central and southern Plains.
Similar cold air in February 2021 stressed energy grids across the South, most notably in Texas, which withstood a multi-day power grid failure. As the cold air blows in, the energy demand increases across the nation, as everyone is trying to heat their homes and workplaces, causing the grid failure. Near-freezing temperatures also threaten crops in southern Texas.
What you can do, currently.
