Heading to the Toronto Christmas Market or the annual Santa Parade on Sunday? Or starting your Christmas shopping pre-Black Friday?

You’ll need several weather strategies. Oh, and cheer up. Slightly warmer temps are on their way in time for the parade. Really.

Still, late November and early December have a “decidedly chilly look,” forecasters say.

According to The Weather Network we’re in for more cold and snow (the theme for this November!) this weekend.

READ: 10 CHEAP Things To Do In Toronto This Weekend (Nov. 15-17)

In fact, the City of Toronto just issued its second extreme cold weather alert of the 2019-2020 cold season. And the winter solstice doesn’t officially occur in Toronto until Saturday, Dec. 21 at 11.19 p.m.

Extreme cold weather alerts are only issued in Toronto when Environment Canada forecasts temperatures of -15 degrees celcius or colder, or wind chill values of - 20 or colder.

Friday’s commute home could be a bit complicated. An Arctic front is coming down from the north bringing with it scattered bands of snow across much of southern Ontario.

Strong wind gusts along with these “quick bursts of snow” could affect visibility and this could hamper the Friday evening commute along the 401 east of Toronto.

READ: 10 Things You Should Know Ahead Of The Toronto Christmas Market

Saturday is going to be cold, and possibly snowy at times. Temperatures in the morning will be 10 to 15 degrees below average.

But, take heart. By Sunday afternoon (Santa Parade time in many GTA communities) the temperatures will rise to near or just above freezing.

And beyond that, says The Weather Network’s Dr. Doug Gillham, expect  a brief rebound to more seasonal conditions.

"A system is expected to track into the region at the end of next week, bringing rain and snow," says Gillham, who cautions that the cold temperatures will return for the next weekend."Near or below seasonal temperatures will dominate the last week of November and into early December," adds Gillham.In order to deal with Friday and Saturday’s “January-like” temperatures and to keep our vulnerable residents safe, the warming centre at Metro Hall in downtown Toronto will open by 7 p.m. this evening and stay open throughout the alert (issued by Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Eileen de Villa) and remains in effect until further notice.

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