Special Weather Statement Highlights Wet and Wild Midweek for the GTA
Toronto faces heavy midweek rain with risk of thunderstorms and freezing rain. Up to 50 mm expected. Warm, sunny conditions return by Friday
TORONTO, ON – April 1, 2025 – Don’t be fooled by today’s April sunshine—Toronto is teetering on the edge of a wet and wild weather swing, with Environment Canada issuing a Special Weather Statement for the city. A significant rainfall event is expected to sweep in starting Wednesday, possibly accompanied by thunderstorms and even a touch of freezing rain. If you’ve been hoping to break out the umbrella and rubber boots, your moment has arrived!
Current Conditions: Calm Before the Storm
As of 6:00 AM EDT today, the skies over Toronto are mostly cloudy, with a current temperature of -0.9°C at Pearson International Airport. A northwest wind blowing at 14 km/h is giving us a bit of an early morning nip, dropping the wind chill to -5°C. Humidity is sitting at 72%, and the barometric pressure is 101.9 kPa and rising, which aligns nicely with today’s relatively settled—if chilly—conditions.
The forecast for today features a mix of sun and cloud with a 30% chance of flurries early on, clearing up to become mostly sunny as the day unfolds. Winds will pick up from the northwest at 20 km/h, gusting up to 40 km/h, before calming this afternoon. Expect a high of +4°C, though that wind chill of -9°C this morning will remind you it’s not quite time to retire the winter coat. UV index hits a moderate 5, so sunglasses won’t hurt.
Wet and Wild Wednesday: Thunderstorms, Freezing Rain, and Heavy Showers Incoming
Wednesday, April 2, will start off cloudy, with a 40% chance of flurries in the morning. The real excitement begins near noon, when rain is expected to start falling, potentially heavy at times, and accompanied by the risk of freezing rain early in the afternoon.
By Wednesday afternoon, winds will really ramp up—easterlies at 40 km/h gusting up to 60 km/h will blow in along with that rain. The high will remain a modest +4°C, though that brisk wind will make it feel more like winter than spring, especially in the morning when the wind chill will be around -7°C.
Wednesday night brings continued showers and a low of 7°C, a notable jump in temperature thanks to the humid air mass pushing in.
Looking Ahead: Cloudy Then Sunny Skies Return
By Thursday, the bulk of the rain will have moved through, but skies remain unsettled with a 40% chance of lingering showers. However, a warm surge will lift temperatures dramatically, with a daytime high near 18°C—a welcome hint that spring hasn’t abandoned us entirely.
Friday flips the script entirely with sunny skies and a pleasant high of 12°C, perfect for drying out and digging out from any flood-prone areas that got a bit too soggy midweek.
Historical Perspective: April 1 Weather Flashback
On this date in Toronto’s climate history, the record high was a toasty 23.9°C, while the record low plunged to a brisk -14.4°C. So today’s weather, while chilly, lands comfortably between extremes. And while the heavy rain on the horizon might be a soggy nuisance, it’s far from unprecedented in our early spring rollercoaster.
What to Wear: Layers and Waterproof Everything
For today, think winter-lite: a warm coat, gloves for the morning wind chill, and maybe sunglasses for the sunny surprise. Tomorrow is all about the rain gear—think waterproof boots, a reliable umbrella (bonus points if it’s wind-resistant), and something to keep your head dry in those gusty conditions. Don’t forget, with thunderstorms in the mix, quick bursts of wind and rain are likely.
Weather Trivia: Toronto’s Thunderstorm Hotspot
Did you know Toronto averages 27 thunderstorm days a year, most of them in summer? However, spring storms like the one on the way often sneak in a little earlier, reminding us that nature likes to keep us on our toes—especially in April!
