Toronto features a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are warm and often humid. The city’s proximity to Lake Ontario moderates temperature extremes, but weather can be highly changeable. Rain and snow are well distributed throughout the year, making Toronto a dynamic destination for all seasons.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Toronto’s climate is shaped by its southern latitude and location on the shores of Lake Ontario. Winters (late November to mid-March) are cold and snowy, with average highs around –1 to 2°C and lows often dipping below –7°C. Snowfall is frequent, averaging 120–150 cm per year, and snow cover is common from mid-December to mid-March. Cold waves can bring blizzards and biting winds, but the lake helps moderate the cold, so temperatures can occasionally rise above freezing even in January. Days are relatively short, with 2–4 hours of sunshine in midwinter, and fog is common at night and early morning.
Spring (March–May) is variable, with temperatures rising from 5°C in March to 18°C by May. Nights can remain chilly, and late frosts or even snow are possible into April. Rainfall increases, and parks bloom with cherry blossoms in late April and early May. Summers (June–August) are warm and humid, with average highs of 24–26°C and lows around 15–18°C. Heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C, and humidity can make days feel hotter. Thunderstorms are common in summer, especially in June and July, which are also the wettest months. Sunshine is abundant, with 8–9 hours per day in July. Autumn (September–November) is mild to cool, with temperatures dropping from 21°C in September to 7°C in November. Rainfall remains steady, and the city’s parks display vibrant autumn colours. Winds are generally moderate, averaging 11–18 km/h, and fog is frequent in transitional seasons. Lake Ontario keeps the climate milder than inland cities, but weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Toronto, Canada | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 25 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 25 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -7 | -2 | 3 | 9 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 9 | 2 | -2 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 27 | 19 | 27 | 36 | 48 | 47 | 52 | 48 | 28 | 40 | 24 | 23 | 419 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 6 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 15 | 14 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 14 | 10 | 8 | 137 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 57 | 55 | 28 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 41 | 223 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 12 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 46 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 84 | 84 | 77 | 74 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 74 | 75 | 75 | 78 | 80 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 19 | 19 | 18 | 17 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 16 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 14 | 9 | 5 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 68 | 64 | 54 | 49 | 38 | 32 | 27 | 26 | 30 | 47 | 49 | 63 | 46 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
The best time to visit Toronto is late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September), when temperatures are mild (15–23°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city’s parks and waterfront are vibrant. These seasons offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, festivals, and outdoor activities, with fewer crowds than peak summer.
The least favourable time to visit is winter (December–March), when cold, snow, and wind are frequent, and daylight hours are shortest. While the city’s winter charm appeals to some, outdoor exploration can be challenging due to icy streets and unpredictable weather.
Toronto has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Spring and autumn are mild and variable, with rain and frequent weather changes throughout the year.
Summer temperatures in Toronto typically reach 24–26°C, but heatwaves can push highs above 30°C. Humidity is high, making some days feel hotter, and thunderstorms are common in June and July.
Yes, Toronto receives 120–150 cm of snow each winter. Snow cover is common from mid-December to mid-March, and blizzards or icy winds can occur during cold snaps.
Rainfall is well distributed year-round, but June and July are typically the wettest months due to frequent thunderstorms. February and March are the driest months.
Toronto is moderately windy year-round, with average wind speeds of 11–18 km/h. Winds are strongest in winter and during spring and autumn storms, sometimes causing blizzard conditions.
Pack thermal, waterproof layers and insulated boots for winter. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For summer, pack light clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella for sudden showers.
Yes, Lake Ontario moderates Toronto’s climate, keeping winters milder and summers cooler than inland. The lake can also cause fog, increase humidity, and make spring afternoons cooler near the shore.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (24.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-2.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 11.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (18.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-6.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.9 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (22.4 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (1.8 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (52.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (19.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 418.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (16 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (5.5 days). Over the whole year there are 137.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (57.5 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 223.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (11.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 45.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (83.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (73.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (19.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (11.5 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 16 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (68.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (25.8 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 45.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 2.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.4 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are July and August (UV index: 6). The months with the lowest average UV index are January and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.2.
