Toronto has issued an extreme cold weather alert Thursday, as Environment Canada expects temperatures to reach -18 C with windchill in the morning.

Toronto’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, released a statement regarding the next 24-hour weather forecast for the city, saying the alert will be in effect until further notice.

Environment Canada expects a 60 per cent chance of flurries Thursday morning, with 20 km/h winds. The daytime low is expected to be -18 C and the high is -4 C. The nighttime low is -12 C, but with temperatures reaching -19 C overnight.

The weekend looks to be mainly sunny and not as frigid. Friday will see a high of 2 C. Saturday will hit 3 C and Sunday will see a balmy 6 C.

People in need can call 311 to learn of service locations that offer food and warming centres.

“Those most at risk of cold-related illness are people experiencing homelessness or those under-housed, those who work outdoors, people with a pre-existing heart conditions or respiratory illness, elderly people, infants and young children,” Dr. de Villa wrote. “People with heart problems can experience worsening of their condition up to several days after cold weather occurs.”

The Metro Hall warming centre will open at 7 p.m. and close at 12 p.m. the day an alert is retracted.

David Venn is a breaking news reporter, working out of the Star’s radio room in Toronto. Follow him on Twitter: @davidvenn_

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