What to know
- Environment Canada has issued Toronto’s first heat warning of the season, with temperatures expected to near 30 C and feel closer to 36 with humidity.
- The heat warning begins Monday and is expected to continue into Tuesday night, with overnight lows offering little relief.
- Toronto is activating cooling spaces, splash pads and mobile water stations across the city as part of its heat response strategy.
Environment Canada has issued Toronto’s first heat warning of the season, with temperatures expected to near 30℃ and feel closer to 36℃ with humidity on Victoria Day.
Toronto is set to experience near 30℃ on Victoria Day after Environment Canada issued a yellow warning for the first heat event of the season in the city.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the city’s first heat warning of the year beginning Monday, May 18 and lasting into Tuesday night. The temperatures are expected to hit around 30℃ and feel closer to 36 with humidity.
The overnight lows will likely float between 18℃ and 20℃, meaning there won’t be much relief once the sun goes down either.
Residents are being urged by the officials to stay hydrated, avoid direct sunlight and check in on older adults and those living alone. It is advised to not leave kids and/or pets inside parked vehicles.
Locals are encouraged to use air conditioning at home and plan their outdoor activities during the cooler parts of the day.
The City of Toronto said it is responding to the season’s first heat warning by activating its Relief Strategy which includes expanding drinking water access by providing additional mobile water trailers that will be made available by noon on Monday at:
- Nathan Philips Square
- Mel Lastman Square
- East York Civic Centre
- Etobicoke Civic Centre
The trailers will remain onsite until the heat warning is lifted, with the exception of Nathan Philips Square, which will remain in place throughout the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Cool spaces will be available to the public throughout the heat season, providing a place to cool off and hydrate with extended hours at the following locations from Monday:
- North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, Etobicoke Civic Centre, East York Civic Centre and Metro Hall are open from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
- North York Civic Centre is available 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Among other arrangements, 168 splash pads across the city will be available from dawn until dusk throughout the heat warning and an additional 112 shelter spaces will also be made available starting on Monday at noon for those experiencing homelessness.
