There’s a reason why Torontonians say ‘we the north.’

Toronto is currently colder than Yellowknife, the city known to be the coldest in Canada. Yellowknife is sitting at -14 C today as Torontonians are facing temperatures at -26 C with wind chills at -39 C.

Today is the coldest Feb. 13 since 1979, says climatologist Dave Phillips of Environment Canada.

In 1979, temperatures went as low as -23.2C.

With wind chills approaching -40 C, exposed human flesh can freeze in around 20 minutes, Phillips says.

However, this year, temperatures have not been as bad as what we saw last year, says Phillips.

“Last year, we had 37 days in a row where we didn’t get a melting temperature in Toronto,” Philip says.

“This year, we’ve had seven days at the most.”

On Valentine’s Day this Sunday, conditions are expected to improve. The city will be at a high -10 C with a wind chill of -30 C.

On Monday, which is Family Day, the city will be at a high of -2 C with some flurries in the air.

The extreme cold weather alert is still in effect in the city. It was issued Thursday morning when temperatures were at -16 C and felt more like -25 C with the wind chill.

The alerts are issued by the Medical Officer of Health when temperatures of -15 C or colder or a wind chill of -20 C or colder are expected in the city.

With current freezing temperatures, Hydro One was reporting many power outages. In a tweet Saturday morning, Toronto Hydro reported that about 500 homes were without power in the city. There still has been no confirmed time for when the power will be restored.

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The power company said outages affected its customers, in an area bordered by Dixon Rd., Bloor St. W., Islington Ave. and Jane St.

Power was expected to be restored in the downtown core at around 12 p.m. Saturday.