TORONTO — Toronto is experiencing a stretch of unusually low temperatures that haven't been seen in late May in decades.
Environment Canada is forecasting a daytime high of 10 C on Thursday – just a touch warmer than a record low set on May 22, 1967.
Meteorologist Geoff Coulson said the daytime high forecast for Thursday is the normal nighttime low temperature for this time of year, and significantly below the typical daytime high of 20 C.
"In fact, the record for the coldest daytime high temperature at the airport in Toronto for May 22 ... is 9.4 degrees, set back in 1967," he said.
"It is important to note that up until this point, this May, we haven't really been too far off the average temperature, but it certainly looks like we're going to finish off the month on the cooler-than-normal side."
Coulson said a cold front swept through southern Ontario on Sunday, bringing cooler temperatures this week.
He said gardeners may want to consider postponing planting cold-sensitive plants.
"Your best advice at this point is maybe delay planting anything that's sensitive to the cold temperatures until we get further into the month of June," he said.
One garden centre in midtown Toronto was empty on Wednesday afternoon as the chilly weather and rain showers seemed to keep shoppers away. A store clerk said there had been only one customer in about 2 1/2 hours.
Coulson also said people planning outdoor activities over the coming days will need to dress warmly and keep an umbrella readily available because more periods of rain are forecasted.
"It's gonna remain unsettled over the coming days as well as being very cold," he said. "Certainly, dressing for the conditions, having an umbrella handy is gonna be important for the rest of the work week."
Toronto temperatures hovering between 10 and 13 degrees are expected to bounce back up by the weekend with a daytime high of 18 C expected on Sunday, but another stretch of cooler weather is forecasted next week.
"By this point, you'd be able to wear shorts and a T-shirt, but that certainly doesn't look to be the case in many of the coming days," Coulson said. "At least until we get into the month of June, when the forecast does see a return to more seasonal temperatures."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025.
Maan Alhmidi, The Canadian Press
