Toronto Braces for Icy Blast: Spring Storm Poised to Coat the City in Freezing Rain
Toronto braces for a major spring ice storm with freezing rain expected from Friday through Monday. Slick roads, power outages, and chilly temps on tap
TORONTO, ON – March 27, 2025 – While the calendar insists it’s spring, Toronto is preparing for a weather rollercoaster that feels more like winter’s last gasp. A Special Weather Statement is currently in effect for the City of Toronto, warning of a potent ice storm expected to arrive late Friday and persist through Monday. A clear and sunny start today is not to be trusted — this deceptive calm will soon give way to a messy, prolonged bout of freezing rain, slippery roads, and potential utility outages.
Today’s Forecast – Sunshine Now, But the Chill is Real
This Thursday starts out serene under clear skies, with a current temperature of -5.9°C, feeling more like -10°C thanks to a light west-southwest wind at 10 km/h. The humidity sits at 75%, and pressure is steady at 102.4 kPa, though it’s beginning to fall — a subtle hint of the weather changes ahead.
Expect the mercury to climb to 11°C by afternoon as southwest winds pick up to 30 km/h, gusting to 50. Just be ready for a wind chill of -8°C this morning before the sun takes the edge off. Tonight brings partly cloudy skies and a 40% chance of showers. Winds will shift from the southwest to the northwest before easing off after midnight, and the low will hover around zero.
The Weekend Forecast – A Slippery Situation Developing
Friday will be a day of transition. Expect cloudy skies and a high of just +4°C, with rain showers starting late in the afternoon. But here’s where things turn dicey — there’s a risk of freezing rain late in the day, especially as easterly winds rise to 20 km/h, gusting up to 40. As temperatures drop to -1°C Friday night, freezing rain or rain becomes more likely, coating roads and walkways in a slick glaze.
Saturday offers little relief. Freezing rain or rain continues, with a daytime high of +1°C, followed by another night of icy precipitation and temperatures steady at zero. Sunday brings more of the same — freezing rain or rain with highs barely above freezing. By Sunday night, things may finally shift to plain showers as temperatures climb slightly to +1°C.
Monday rounds out the storm with lingering showers and a high of +3°C, but colder air will return by nightfall, bringing back the chance of flurries and a low of -7°C.
Travel, Wardrobe, and Ice Warnings
Toronto residents should prepare now for hazardous travel conditions, particularly from Friday evening through Sunday. With ice accretion between 5 to 15 mm, and locally higher amounts over 20 mm possible, tree branches, power lines, and roads will all be vulnerable. Expect potential utility outages and slippery sidewalks — a perfect time to stay cozy indoors if you can.
Wardrobe-wise, today’s sunshine calls for layers — a warm coat this morning, lighter layers for the afternoon, and a waterproof outer layer by tonight. Heading into the weekend, waterproof boots with good grip, insulated coats, gloves, and even cleats for icy sidewalks might be your best fashion-forward survival move.
Weather History and Fun Fact
On this date, Toronto’s historical high was a balmy 21.0°C, recorded back in 1945, while the record low dipped to a frigid -20.0°C in 1934. Talk about a weather identity crisis.
Did you know? Toronto’s largest ice storm on record occurred in December 2013, knocking out power to over 300,000 customers and coating the city in a glistening but treacherous crystal shell. While this weekend’s event might not rival that, it’s shaping up to be the most significant spring ice storm in years.
