Extreme cold weather alert for Toronto comes to an end

Toronto Public Health says its extreme cold weather alert for the city has ended on Saturday as the temperature is slated to rise after a brief cold snap.

Dr. Eileen de Villa, the city's medical officer of health, said in a news release that the warming centre at Metro Hall closed at 12 noon as well.

According to Environment Canada, the forecast is calling for a high temperature of –1 C on Saturday and a low of –2 C on Saturday night. The wind chill was forecast to be –11 in the afternoon but –9 at night.

Extreme cold weather alerts are issued when the forecast suggests that temperatures will reach approximately –15 C or colder, or when the wind chill is forecast to reach –20 or colder.

The alerts enable the city to activate services for homeless people.