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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In Toronto, Canada's largest city and the capital of Ontario, the climate is
continental, with very cold winters and warm summers. Although the city is located in the south of the country, winter is cold because the North American continent cools down a lot, and outbreaks of polar air masses are frequent. However, being that it is exposed to different types of air masses, jumps in temperature are frequent. Also, due to its southern location, in Canada it is considered a relatively warm city.
Fog is fairly common at night and in the early morning, all year round, especially in rural areas around the city.
Precipitation amounts to about 860 millimeters (33.8 inches) per year, and it's well distributed over the seasons. In fact, due to the continual clash between masses of warm and cold air, disturbances can form in all months, while in summer, when they are less frequent, afternoon thunderstorms can occur. During the long winter months, from mid-November to March, precipitation mainly occurs in the form of
snow. In an average year, about one meter and a half (5 feet) of snow fall; sometimes, a snowfall can be seen already in October, and in spring, still in early May.
Winter in Toronto runs from late November to mid-March and is cold: the average temperature, about -5.5 °C (22 °F) in January, is similar to that of northern European cities like Oslo. However, at least, the days here are not as short as in the Nordic countries.
Cold waves are accompanied by the
blizzard, the north wind blowing in gusts.
Given the constant instability of the weather, the temperature can sometimes exceed freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even in mid-winter: in these cases, snow can melt and it can rain.
On the other hand,
cold waves, during which the temperature drops to -20 °C (-4 °F) or below, occur practically every year. In January 1994, the temperature dropped to -31 °C (-24 °F) at Pearson Airport and -35 °C (-31 °F) at Buttonville Airport.
Snowfall is frequent, so much so that it snows for several days per month; occasionally, real snow storms may occur.
The heaviest snowfall occurred in January 1999, with 38 cm (15 in) in one day and a maximum snow depth of 65 cm (25.6 in).
Sometimes, the phenomenon called "ice storm" (or glaze ice) may occur, that is, rain that falls on frozen ground, freezing everything, roads, trees, light poles, cars etc.
Spring, from mid-March to May, is an
unstable season, characterized by changes in temperature: initially cold in March, with snowfalls and frosts still quite frequent, it advances gradually, with the first warm days but also the return of cold weather, and it is still on average cold in April, when it can still snow in the first half of the month, while it becomes mild in May, when also afternoon thunderstorms start to erupt during sunny days.
Summer, from June to August, is warm, with highs usually about 26/27 °C (79/81 °F). On hot days, when the temperature can reach or even exceed 30 °C (86 °F), it can also be muggy because of the humidity brought by Lake Ontario. However, in summer, there are also cool and cloudy days, while in days of fine weather, which are cooled by the breeze from the lake, thunderstorms can erupt in the afternoon.
Sometimes, even
heat waves may occur, usually of short duration, with highs of 35 °C (95 °F) or more. The heat records in July and August are 37/38 °C (99/100 °F).
Autumn, from September to mid-November, is initially pleasant, since there are many sunny days, with temperatures exceeding 25 °C (77 °F): these periods, called Indian summer, occur in September, but sometimes also in October. As weeks pass, however, the temperature decreases rapidly, low pressure areas become more frequent, and the first cold days occur.
Lake Ontario is very cold in winter, when it's close to the freezing point, while in summer, it is still cool, but it becomes almost acceptable for swimming, at least for those who do not suffer from the cold, especially in August, when it reaches 21 °C (70 °F).
Best Time
The
best time to visit Toronto runs from mid-May to late September. In the height of summer, ie in July and August, there may be hot and muggy days, so this period can be excluded if you cannot stand the heat; in May (and sometimes in early June), it can still be a bit cold. However, you always have to take into account the possibility of rain and changes in temperature.
The following weather data was collected at the Toronto/Buttonville Airport, in the northern part of the city. The districts overlooking the shores of the lake are a bit milder.
Toronto - Climate data
In Toronto, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of
-5.4 °C, that of the warmest month (July) is of
21.8 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Toronto - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | -9.2 | -1.7 | -5.4 |
|---|
| February | -9 | -0.8 | -4.9 |
|---|
| March | -4.3 | 4.6 | 0.2 |
|---|
| April | 1.9 | 11.9 | 6.9 |
|---|
| May | 8.5 | 19.6 | 14 |
|---|
| June | 13.9 | 24.6 | 19.3 |
|---|
| July | 16.6 | 27 | 21.8 |
|---|
| August | 15.8 | 26 | 20.9 |
|---|
| September | 11.6 | 22 | 16.8 |
|---|
| October | 5.7 | 14.4 | 10.1 |
|---|
| November | 0.3 | 7.6 | 4 |
|---|
| December | -5 | 1.5 | -1.8 |
|---|
| Year | 4 | 13.2 | 8.55 |
|---|
amounts to
860 millimeters per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from
51.1 millimeters in the driest month (February) to
86.7 millimeters in the wettest one (June). Here is the average precipitation.
Toronto - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 64 | 12 |
|---|
| February | 51 | 8 |
|---|
| March | 52 | 9 |
|---|
| April | 79 | 10 |
|---|
| May | 80 | 9 |
|---|
| June | 87 | 9 |
|---|
| July | 85 | 9 |
|---|
| August | 72 | 8 |
|---|
| September | 83 | 8 |
|---|
| October | 71 | 10 |
|---|
| November | 77 | 10 |
|---|
| December | 62 | 10 |
|---|
| Year | 860 | 113 |
|---|
The
lake temperature ranges from
2 °C in February, March to
21 °C in August. Here are the average lake temperatures.
Toronto - Lake temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 33 |
|---|
| February | 2 |
|---|
| March | 2 |
|---|
| April | 3 |
|---|
| May | 7 |
|---|
| June | 13 |
|---|
| July | 19 |
|---|
| August | 21 |
|---|
| September | 19 |
|---|
| October | 14 |
|---|
| November | 9"> |
|---|
| December | 5 |
|---|
| Year | 9.8 |
|---|
There are on average around 2065
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Toronto - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 3 | 85 |
|---|
| February | 4 | 110 |
|---|
| March | 5 | 160 |
|---|
| April | 6 | 180 |
|---|
| May | 7.5 | 230 |
|---|
| June | 8.5 | 260 |
|---|
| July | 9 | 280 |
|---|
| August | 8 | 245 |
|---|
| September | 6.5 | 195 |
|---|
| October | 5 | 155 |
|---|
| November | 3 | 90 |
|---|
| December | 2.5 | 80 |
|---|
| Year | 5.7 | 2065 |
|---|
Toronto - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a freezing cold month. The average temperature is of
-5.4 °C, with a minimum of
-9.2 °C and a maximum of
-1.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-22 °C. However, it dropped to
-35.2 °C in January 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
9 °C. However, it reached
14.9 °C in January 2005.
Precipitation amounts to
63.5 mm, distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.4 kph.
February is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-4.9 °C, with a minimum of
-9 °C and a maximum of
-0.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-20.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-26.8 °C in February 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
9 °C. However, it reached
17.3 °C in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to
51.1 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
13.6 kph.
March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of
0.2 °C, with a minimum of
-4.3 °C and a maximum of
4.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-15 °C. However, it dropped to
-25.6 °C in March 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16 °C. However, it reached
26.3 °C in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to
52.3 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of
13.7 kph.
April is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
6.9 °C, with a minimum of
1.9 °C and a maximum of
11.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-5.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-10.6 °C in April 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
23.5 °C. However, it reached
30 °C in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to
78.9 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is of
14 kph.
May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
14 °C, with a minimum of
8.5 °C and a maximum of
19.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
0.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-4.1 °C in May 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
30 °C. However, it reached
34.6 °C in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to
80 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of
11.9 kph.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
19.3 °C, with a minimum of
13.9 °C and a maximum of
24.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
3.2 °C in June 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
36.6 °C in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to
86.7 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is of
11.3 kph.
July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.8 °C, with a minimum of
16.6 °C and a maximum of
27 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
10.5 °C. However, it dropped to
6.9 °C in July 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33 °C. However, it reached
37 °C in July 1995.
Precipitation amounts to
85.2 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is of
10.6 kph.
August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
20.9 °C, with a minimum of
15.8 °C and a maximum of
26 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
9.5 °C. However, it dropped to
6.1 °C in August 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
32.5 °C. However, it reached
37.8 °C in August 2006.
Precipitation amounts to
71.9 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of
10 kph.
September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
16.8 °C, with a minimum of
11.6 °C and a maximum of
22 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
4 °C. However, it dropped to
-1.4 °C in September 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31 °C. However, it reached
35 °C in September 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
83.1 mm, distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.2 kph.
October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.1 °C, with a minimum of
5.7 °C and a maximum of
14.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-6.5 °C in October 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
25 °C. However, it reached
31 °C in October 2007.
Precipitation amounts to
70.6 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.4 kph.
November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of
4 °C, with a minimum of
0.3 °C and a maximum of
7.6 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-8.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-16.2 °C in November 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
17 °C. However, it reached
23.6 °C in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to
76.7 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.3 kph.
December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of
-1.8 °C, with a minimum of
-5 °C and a maximum of
1.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-16.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-26 °C in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
11 °C. However, it reached
18 °C in December 1998.
Precipitation amounts to
62.5 mm, distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
12.8 kph.