Toronto Experiences Unseasonably Cold April Weather

Toronto is facing an unexpected cold snap, with temperatures plummeting to levels rarely seen in April. On Tuesday morning, the city recorded temperatures of -6°C, with wind chills making it feel like -15°C. These conditions prompted Environment Canada to issue a winter weather travel advisory, cautioning residents about potential snow accumulations of 2 to 4 centimeters and icy surfaces affecting the morning commute. ​

The advisory was lifted by mid-morning as conditions began to improve. Despite the sunshine breaking through in the afternoon, temperatures only reached a high of -1°C, with wind chills around -10°C. Wind gusts of up to 60 km/h were observed but subsided by the evening. ​

This temperature drop is significant, as the average daytime high for Toronto in early April is typically around 10°C. The current cold spell marks one of the chilliest April days in recent years, with similar conditions last recorded in 2016, 2007, and 2003. ​

Extended Forecast

The unseasonably cold temperatures are expected to persist throughout the week. On Wednesday, residents can anticipate morning lows of -7°C, with wind chills making it feel like -13°C, before temperatures rise to a high of 4°C during the day. Thursday’s forecast includes a mix of rain and snow, with a daytime high of 2°C. Friday is projected to reach 5°C, accompanied by intermittent rain showers. A return to sunnier conditions is possible by Sunday. ​

Ongoing Power Outages

The recent severe weather has left over 35,000 customers in Ontario without power, more than a week after a storm impacted central and eastern regions of the province. Communities near Peterborough and Orillia were among the hardest hit. The ice storm on March 30 resulted in power outages for over a million homes and businesses across Ontario. ​

Residents are advised to stay updated with local forecasts and exercise caution during this period of unseasonably cold weather.