Toronto is a city with four distinctive seasons. Autumn is a particularly good time to visit: The climate is brisk but temperate, the skies are sunny, the trees are a riot of color, and the cultural scene is in full swing. Another great time to see the city—if you don’t mind a dusting of snow—is early winter in December, with holiday festivities for everyone. Spring is pretty, although rainy and cool days can make for a moody stay. Midsummer can be oppressive with heat, but the city has plenty of parks and other places to cool down (like the Toronto Islands). Really, the only time the city can seem unwelcoming is on a windy February day when the temperatures demand thick parkas and multiple layers. In fact, bone-chilling days are less frequent as the planet warms: You could call it a boost for Torontonians and the city’s visitors—at least, for now.
Never mind what the calendar says; these are Toronto’s true seasons: Spring runs from late March to late May (though occasionally there’s snow in April); summer, June to early September; fall, mid-September to mid-November; and winter, late November to sometime in March. The highest recorded temperature is 105°F (41°C); the lowest, –27°F (–33°C). The average date of the first frost is October 13; the average date of last frost is May 4. The windblasts from Lake Ontario can be fierce, even in June. Even in summer, bring a light jacket; brief, intense storms are common.
Don't Forget the Sunscreen: Because of Canada’s image as a land of harsh winters, many travelers don’t realize that summer can be scorching. “The UV index goes quite high, between 7 and 10, in Toronto,” says Dr. Patricia Agin of the Coppertone Solar Research Center in Memphis. A UV index reading of 7 can mean sunburn, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen and a hat, especially if you’re planning to enjoy Toronto’s many parks and outdoor attractions.
Holidays
Toronto celebrates the following holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Family Day (third Monday of February), Good Friday (March or April), Victoria Day (Monday on or before May 24), Canada Day (July 1), Civic Holiday (first Monday in August), Labour Day (first Monday in September), Thanksgiving (second Monday in October), Remembrance Day (Only banks and government offices close on November 11), Christmas Day (December 25), and Boxing Day (December 26).
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
