Toronto is expected to experience near-record high temperatures today, while heavy snow and severe cold affect large parts of the Prairies.

The Canadian Ministry of Environment said temperatures are expected to reach double digits in Toronto this afternoon, with temperatures forecasted to reach 13 degrees Celsius.

The highest temperature recorded on March 4 for the city was 13.3 degrees Celsius in 1974.

Meanwhile, the Canadian Environment Agency issued a snow warning for parts of northern Saskatchewan and northern Manitoba, with snow accumulations expected to reach 20 cm in some areas before easing this evening.

A severe cold warning is in effect for large parts of Alberta, with wind chills reaching nearly -40 degrees Celsius and temperatures not expected to moderate significantly until Tuesday.

Heavy snow and winter winds have caused flight cancellations and highway closures across the Prairies over the weekend.

Terry Lang, a meteorologist at the Canadian Ministry of Environment, said the hardest-hit areas in Saskatchewan were in the west-central region, including Saskatoon and up to North Battleford.

In Manitoba, work crews are restoring power after thousands were left without electrical connections on Sunday in Winnipeg and other communities.