Does it Snow in Toronto? What to Expect, How to Prepare & More
Does it snow in Toronto? You might be wondering this if you’re planning to visit the city this winter. And the short answer is yes, it does snow in Toronto!
But the snow here can be very different from the rest of Canada, and it usually varies a lot from year to year. So, to make sure you know what to expect when visiting in winter, I’ve put together everything you need to know about snow in Toronto.
How do I know all of this? I’ve lived in Toronto since 2018 and have travelled a lot in Canada in the winter. So I have plenty of first hand experience surviving the Canadian winters and navigating Toronto in the snow!
Does it Snow in Toronto?
The answer to this is Yes, Toronto does get snow during the winter months!
Regular snowfalls are part of the typical winter weather here, so you can expect to see snow several times throughout the season.
On average, Toronto gets around 40 inches (100 centimetres) of snowfall each year. Although this isn’t much compared to many other parts of Canada, the snow can have a big impact on the city. It can affect public transit, the airports and driving conditions, and can sometimes shut parts of the city down.
The Snowfalls typically start around November and can last until April. But I’ve even experienced light snow in Toronto as early as October and as late as May!
There will usually be at least one or two heavy snowfalls during the height of winter, when the snow accumulates quite a lot on the ground.
However, many of the snowfalls in Toronto are light flurries, or mixed with rain early and late in the season, which means the snow doesn’t always stick. So, compared to many other places in Canada, Toronto doesn’t always look like a winter wonderland in the colder months.
And, when the snow does accumulate, it doesn’t always last for that long in the city, especially downtown. Toronto can get quite a lot sun in the winter, and days with temperature highs above freezing are common in December and March. Plus, the city makes an effort to clear the streets and salt the sidewalks. So the snow often melts quite quickly.
The amount of snow in Toronto can also vary a lot from year to year. I’ve experienced years with several large snowfalls, where the city was white for a lot of the winter. But I’ve also had winters with barely any snow at all!
Winter in Toronto
Winter in Canada is officially from December 21 to March 19. But Toronto typically experiences mild winter-like conditions in November and April as well.
Although people do spend more time indoors during this time, many Toronto locals embrace the winter spirit with outdoor activities, such as ice skating, winter walks, tobogganing, and other snow sports.
Toronto’s annual Winter Village is also held at the Distillery District each year from November to January. The village hosts various vendors, Christmas activities and live entertainment, and is particularly popular during the holidays.
The city is also very well equipped for cold weather, with tons of indoor attractions, such as museums, theatres, sporting venues, and shopping malls.
Plus, Toronto has a huge underground pedestrian network, with 30 kilometres of tunnels connecting over 75 buildings and attractions in the downtown core. So you don’t even have to go outside to explore Toronto on cold winter days!
Winter Weather in Toronto
Winter in Toronto brings a mix of chilly temperatures, wind, and some snowfall.
The coldest and snowiest months are January and February. Temperatures during this time often range from 30 to 14°F (-1 to -10°C). And there’s usually a couple of very cold weeks each winter when temperatures can drop even lower than this.
But, the key thing to know about Toronto winters is that it’s often very windy! And with the wind chill, the outside temperature can feel much colder than it really is. The coldest I’ve ever experienced in Toronto due to wind chill was -31°F (-35°C) in January a few years ago. Although fortunately temperatures this cold aren’t that common!
However, the cold in Toronto can actually be quite pleasant. Compared to many other Northern Hemisphere cities, Toronto usually gets quite a bit of sun in the winter, with an average of 22 days of sun per month.
Plus, as I mentioned earlier, it does snow in Toronto, but there are usually only a couple of heavy snowfalls each year. Although, in early and late winter (December and March), temperatures can be warm enough that the precipitation is rain, rather than snow.
And luckily, severe winter storms aren’t that common in Toronto. Although storms do happen, they usually just bring a significant snowfall which the city is pretty quick to clear, as it’s well-equipped to handle these situations.
How to prepare for winter in Toronto
If you’ll be visiting Toronto in winter, there are a few things you can do to ensure your visit is safe and comfortable!
Have travel insurance
Accidents can happen in winter. It’s easy to slip on some ice, or have a bad fall while doing winter sports. Therefore, it’s a particularly important time of year to be protected with travel insurance!
And, in case an extreme weather event does occur, flights and other transit can be cancelled or delayed. If this does happen and you get stranded, make sure you understand what is covered under your travel insurance policy, so you can re-book your trip and claim back any lost money on hotels, flights and other travel expenses.
Pack the right clothes
The best way to dress for the Toronto winters are by layering up. If you’ll be outside for longer periods of time during the height of winter, the best thing to do is to wear a thermal layer under your clothes and a good winter coat on top. A coat rated between -4°F (-20°C) to -22°F (-30°C) should keep you nice and warm.
You should also have gloves and a hat or headband, to keep your hands and head warm.
And make sure to have a good pair of boots and socks (I recommend wool), so your feet stay warm. If there is likely to be a lot of snow, it’s also worth investing in a pair of snow boots. These will keep your feet dry, and will have better grip on the ice and snow.
Be aware of your surroundings
In the colder months, there are always more hazards to avoid when navigating Toronto. Snow build up can reduce walkable areas on sidewalks, ice can make sidewalks and roads slippery, and visibility is often worse. Therefore, try to be a bit more cautious than usual and keep an eye out for these risks when making your way around the city.
And even when you are being careful, you might not always see the dangers, such as black ice, or slippery surfaces hiding under a patch of snow! So it’s best to go slow to avoid slipping over or skidding.
Stay up-to-date on the weather
Staying informed of the weather before and during your trip to Toronto is also something I would recommend. If there are any extreme weather conditions on the forecast, it might be worth postponing your trip, or planning indoor activities for that day.
Don’t stay outside for too long
With the right clothing, it can be perfectly safe to spend time outdoors in the winter. However, during times of extreme cold weather you should limit your time outside, as you could be putting yourself at risk of frost bite and hypothermia.
Generally, it’s recommended to stay indoors when the temperature reaches below 0°F (-18°C), or below -18°F (-28°C) with wind chill.
Use public transit instead of driving
Finally, driving in snowy and icy conditions can be very dangerous, especially when you’re driving somewhere new. If you’re visiting Toronto when there’s likely to be snow, ice or visibility issues, the safest thing to do is to leave the car at home and use public transit instead!
Things to do When it Snows in Toronto
There are plenty of fun things to do in Toronto when it snows!
Outdoor Activities
To make the most of the picturesque snowy scenery, here are some of the best outdoor activities to do in Toronto in the snow:
- Ice skating: There are free outdoor skating rinks all around the city. You will mostly find them located in the city’s parks. But the most popular is the rink at Nathan Phillips square, right by the famous Toronto sign.
- Tobogganing: Some of Toronto’s parks have excellent hills for toboganning! In particular, try Riverdale Park East, Christie Pits Park, and Trinity-Bellwoods Park.
- Winter trails: Toronto has some beautiful parks and trails which can be explored in the winter. This is one of the best ways to enjoy the picturesque scenery after a fresh snowfall! Some of the best parks to explore are Rouge National Urban Park, High Park and the Don River Valley Park.
- Nordic skiing or snowshoeing: You might be surprised to hear that Toronto does have some great cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails! Some of the best places to go are Tommy Thompson Park, the Beltline Trail, and the Don Valley Ravine Trails. And you can even get the ferry over to the Toronto Islands to explore Toronto Island Park with skis or snowshoes!
- Niagara Falls: If you’re visiting Toronto for the first time, you can’t miss out on the opportunity to see the mighty Niagara Falls! Although you probably think of this as a summer activity, day tours to Niagara Falls still operate in winter. And this can actually be one of the best times to visit, as the falls look especially majestic when surrounded by ice and snow.
Indoor Activities
Or, if you rather avoid the cold, here are some of the best indoor activities to do in Toronto in the winter:
- Hockey match: The NHL and AHL seasons run from October to April. So winter is prime time to see a hockey match in Toronto!
- Museums: Toronto has several great museums which you can easily spend a whole day exploring. In particular, I recommend the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM), Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO), Casa Loma, and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
- CN Tower: Head up the CN Tower for the best panoramic view of the city. And, at the top, you can even dine at the 360 restaurant, which rotates while you enjoy your meal!
- Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada: This is Canada’s largest indoor aquarium and is one of Toronto’s top attractions to visit!
- Eaton Centre: The Eaton Centre is the most popular place in Canada to go shopping. It has everything from big brands to specialty stores and independently owned boutiques. And it also boasts some impressive architecture, with a huge glass roof and a sculpture of Canadian geese flying high above shoppers.
- Eating & drinking: Toronto’s food scene and nightlife is one of the best reasons to visit the city. As the most multicultural city in the world, you will find all different types of cuisine, as well as some of the best restaurants in the world and plenty of unique and vibrant bars and clubs.
Snow in Toronto: FAQs
How much does it snow in Toronto?
On average, there’s around 40 inches (100 centimetres) of snowfall each year in Toronto. However, this can vary from year to year.
How often does it snow in Toronto?
Historically, Toronto gets about 45 days of snow per year, on average. However, this is often light snow or flurries, rather than heavy snowfalls.
Does it snow in Toronto in October?
Towards the end of October there is sometimes a light snowfall. But generally snow isn’t that common in Toronto in October.
Does it snow in Toronto in November?
November is usually the first month when it snows in Toronto, with an average of about 4 snowfall days.
When does it usually snow in Toronto?
It usually snows in Toronto between December and February, and typically January is the snowiest month. However, it’s not uncommon for snow to fall in November and March as well.
Does it snow in Toronto in March?
March can bring both snow and rain in Toronto. In early March you’re still likely to get snowfalls, but towards the end of the month rain is more likely.
Does it snow in Toronto in April?
April is the beginning of spring in Toronto and, as the temperatures start to rise, rain is more common. However, the weather can be unpredictable at this time, and April does usually still get one or two random snowfalls.
What is the coldest month in Toronto?
January is technically the coldest month in Toronto. However, the coldest time overall tends to be the end of January and beginning of February.
Does it snow in Downtown Toronto?
Yes, it does snow in Downtown Toronto! However, the city is usually very quick to clear the road and salt the sidewalks. So the snow doesn’t usually last for very long downtown.
Wrap Up – Does it Snow in Toronto?
So, does it snow in Toronto? Yes, it does! In fact, the city gets quite a bit of snowfall, and it’s particularly beautiful when covered in a blanket of white.
If you’re planning to visit Toronto in the winter, don’t let the snow deter you. The city is well-equipped for snow, so you will still be able to make the most of your time here. And there are plenty of great indoor and outdoor activities to do in Toronto in the colder months!
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