Everything you need to know about the ‘arctic intrusion’ that has brought temperatures that will feel as cold as -26 to the GTA

People walk through steam in the cold winter weather in Toronto, on Friday, February 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

The GTA is expected to face a frigid week with some of the coldest temperatures recorded in the last few years possible over the next few days.

Temperatures are expected to dip well below -10 C on Monday night but feel as cold as -26 with the wind chill.

The extreme cold will then continue on Tuesday and Wednesday with daytime highs of -12 C and – 9 C, respectively. The wind chill will, however, make the temperature feel closer to the -20s both days.

Here is what you need to know about the extreme cold that is gripping Toronto:

Arctic intrusion, not a ‘Polar Vortex’

The weather system that has brought these arctic temperatures to the GTA is being referred to by some as a “polar vortex” but CP24 Metrologist Bill Coulter says that the term doesn’t fully capture the weather we are seeing.

Coulter says that a “polar vortex” is a circulation of strong westerly winds and artic air that forms high up in the atmosphere, usually 15 to 50 kilometres above the North and South poles.

He says that when a “polar vortex” is strong, it actually keeps the coldest air up in the artic and far away from the GTA.

But when the circulation weakens the weather system can spread or split in two which then allows the colder air to travel closer to the surface and further south, Coulter says.

“A disrupted polar vortex can lead to ‘arctic intrusion,’” he says. “That’s when arctic air is moving out of the arctic and closer to the surface.”

Burst pipes a risk amid extreme cold

There is a heightened risk of bust pipes whenever temperatures plunge.

Rob de Pruis, who is the National Director of Consumer and Industry Relations with the Insurance Bureau of Canada, told CTV News Toronto that providers do see a spike in claims following extreme cold events like the one we are seeing now.

“The good news is home insurance does cover the resulting damage from these frozen and burst pipes, and they can cause pretty extensive damage when you have water that’s leaking out of these pipes,” de Pruis said.

De Pruis said that to avoid burst pipes entirely homeowners should make sure that they are maintaining the heat in their properties and getting someone to check on their property in the event they are away for an extended period.

“Alternatively, you can even shut off the water supply and drain the lines if you’re going to be away for an extended period, or if your property is vacant,” he said.

In the case of apartments or condominiums, de Pruis said that water damage in even one unit can prove to be much larger problem if not dealt with immediately.

“If you do have water damage that’s happening, that can impact many floors beneath you as well,” he said. . “Make sure that someone has access to your property in the event that there is some type of an issue and make sure that people know how to get a hold of that person.”

What happens if a water main breaks?

Its also more common for water mains to break during the winter due to the low temperatures. The city says this extreme cold can cause soil to freeze and expand, resulting in frost loading or force on the water main.

“North York, Scarborough and Etobicoke experience the highest break rates as their watermains are located in predominantly acidic clay soil as opposed to sandy soil,” the city says. “These areas also have a higher percentage of smaller cast iron pipes constructed in the 1950s and 60s.”

The city advises residents to call 311 where staff can attend to their calls at all hours to report a water main break. Repairs can take up to 24 hours or longer, depending on the severity of the break, the city says on their website.

What are some essential steps you can take for your car in winter?

Driving during the winter can get dangerous, especially if your vehicle is not properly equipped for the weather. Experts say that you should make sure to check the vehicle battery condition, terminals, washer fluid levels and windshield wipers as well as the coolant system, signals, and lights.

They also say that you should always keep an eye out for tire problems due to low pressure or tire wear, and switch to snow tires for extra traction during snowy weather.

“One of the big things we see is people are starting their vehicle and letting it warm up with the keys in the ignition and the vehicle’s unlocked,” de Pruis says. “And that just contributes to the vehicle theft problem that we’re seeing in Ontario and across the country. We also see a lot of people have block heaters and they may be plugging in their vehicles. And that’s a good idea to help start the vehicle. But remember as well that some of the build up of grease or oil inside of the engine compartment, if you are plugging in your vehicle, that could contribute to a vehicle fire.”

What is frostbite and how to stay vigilant of it?

When the temps drop below 0 C and your body is exposed to the cold for a long period of time blood flow to your extremities can get severely restricted, leading to frostbite.

Mild frostbite makes your skin look yellowish or white but still soft to touch, Environment Canada says. It can be treated by warming yourself up with blankets, moving to a warm space and applying warm water to the area.

Severe cases of frostbite include nerve damage and skin discolouration to the point of looking black. These cases should be treated by a medical professional.

Environment Canada recommends dressing in layers with a wind resistant outer layer, warm socks, gloves, hats and scarves during the cold weather.

Warming centres and where you can find them

The City of Toronto has opened five of its warming centres amid the extreme cold. The centres will be open 24 hours a day until further notice.

Here’s a list of all the warming centres that are open this week:

• 136 Spadina Road
• 81 Elizabeth Street
• 12 Holmes Avenue
• Metro Hall, 55 John Street
• 885 Scarborough Golf Club Road

There are also two surge sites that will be open when the temperature dips below -15 C. Those are located at the Cecil Community Centre at 58 Cecil St. and Jimmie Simpson Recreation Centre at 870 Queen Street East.