Do not the leave the house Monday without putting on layers, several warm layers. 

After a long thaw, we're now being shocked by a cold snap that is to last a few days.

The high on Monday will be -7, but it will feel more like -14. It will be frigid on Monday night, when it will feel more like -28.

The windchill is set to make it feel as cold as -20 Tuesday.

It will be similarly cold on Wednesday.

The cold weather has prompted the city to issue an Extreme Cold Weather Alert to make vulnerable homeless people aware of the dangers of staying outside too long in cold and to ensure they have safe and warm places to go.

An Extreme Cold Weather Alert is called to trigger additional homelessness services.

During an Extreme Cold Weather Alert:

Shelters are directed to relax any existing service restrictions and are reminded that if a bed is not available at their site they are to allow the client to stay at the shelter until they are able to find a bed for them elsewhere in the system.

The City of Toronto immediately adds 172 shelter spaces to those available to staff looking to refer a client to a shelter bed.

Overnight street outreach is increased in the downtown core, focusing solely on warning people of danger and urging them to get into a shelter or another warm, indoor place. Workers will transport people to warm places if necessary.

TTC tokens are available at some drop-ins so people can use public transit to get to shelters.

More than 100 agencies are advised of the oncoming extreme weather and asked to relax any service restrictions they may have.

An alert is called when there is an expected overnight temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or lower, without the wind chill.

The alert will remain in effect until further notice.