Toronto’s stretch of mild, almost early‑summer warmth is about to come to an abrupt halt, with a sharp temperature drop arriving Sunday that will push daytime highs back into the single digits — well below what the city typically sees in mid‑April.
After a calm, pleasant Friday and another mild day Saturday, a surge of cooler air will sweep in behind a system bringing showers and thunderstorms. By Sunday, Toronto will feel more like late March than late April, and the cooler pattern is expected to linger into next week and possibly through the end of the month.
Friday saw a comfortable day across the GTA with a high of 18°C accompanied by patchy morning fog and sunny breaks. The night will stay mild, with a low of near 10°C, but risks of heavier fog have prompted a Yellow Advisory from Environment Canada.
“Areas of dense fog have developed near Lake Ontario and will continue to spread inland this evening,” Environment Canada said. “The fog could potentially linger through the night and into Saturday morning.
“Travel will likely be hazardous in some locations. Visibility will likely be suddenly reduced at times. There may be a significant impact on rush hour traffic.”
Weekend storm risk before temperatures come crashing down
Saturday begins foggy and misty before brightening, but scattered showers and thunderstorms return by afternoon.
A special weather statement has been issued by Environment Canada for Toronto and parts of the GTA.
Rainfall totals of 10–15 mm are expected, accompanied by a daytime high of 18°C and a low of 3°C, with temperatures rapidly falling overnight, setting the stage for a dramatically different Sunday in Toronto and the GTA.
The weather agency says the ground which is already saturated will have a limited capacity to absorb the rainfall on Saturday. Water will likely pool in low-lying areas.
The warm spell ends decisively on Sunday as cold northwesterly winds sweep across the region, with a forecast high of 7°C and a low of -2°C. There will be sunny breaks but also some scattered showers throughout the day.
These temperatures are well below seasonal norms, with normal highs for April 19–21 near 12–13°C. Monday will be even colder, with a mix of sun and cloud, and a forecast high of 5°C for Toronto and a low of -1°C; temperatures regularly seen in March but not in mid to late April.
How unusual is this? A look at recent April weather
Toronto’s mid‑April temperatures have trended warmer in recent years, making this upcoming cold snap stand out even more:
- April 2025: Several days reached the mid‑teens, with a 20°C day recorded in the second week.
- April 2024: Toronto hit 21°C on April 14 and saw multiple days above seasonal.
- April 2023: Highs frequently reached 14–18°C, with only brief cool spells.
- Seasonal normal: High of 12–13°C, low of 3°C for mid‑April.
By comparison, Sunday’s forecast high of 7°C and Monday’s 5°C are 5–8 degrees below normal, and overnight lows below freezing are uncommon this late in the month.
Click here to sign up for the CityNews Weather Guarantee and to check out Toronto’s extended forecast.