It's the first day of Spring. Here's what Toronto's weather forecast is predicting this week
March 20 marks the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, and, after a long, grey winter, Torontonians can soon look forward to warmer temperatures and sunnier days.
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECC), Toronto expect milder temperatures and even a bit of sun coming up this week.
The sun is expected to make an appearance Monday as temperatures could go as high as six degrees.
The coldest day this week, Wednesday, is expected to have a high of five degrees. On Thursday, the high is forecast to be 11 degrees.
Come the weekend, Torontonians can once again expect the sun.
On Friday and Sunday, a high of six degrees has been forecast, and the weather is expected to be a mix of sun and clouds. On Saturday, temperatures will remain at about six degrees, but with a chance of showers or flurries.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Spring may have sprung, but Torontonians should still expect bouts of winter-like weather – or, as Environment Canada climatologist Dave Phillips called it, “maple syrup weather.”
It is often said that spring arrives reluctantly in Canada and this is going to test us,” Phillips told CP24. “This is going to be slow coming. Every day will get marginally warmer. But the cold still may come.”
Phillips said that Toronto should still get about 10 per cent of its annual snowfall yet, so “don’t put away your snow shovel.”
Ultimately, Phillips said it’s a waiting game.
"Patience is the operative word.”
Cyclists ride past the skyline in Toronto on Wednesday, June 26, 2012. (The Canadian Press/Frank Gunn)
A WARMER WINTER: ECCC
Phillips said that the winter was much warmer than normal in Toronto this year, with the city only seeing 11 days in which the temperature dipped to – 10 C or below compared to the 38 it sees in a more typical year.
But he said that March has brought much colder conditions and there is a risk that weather will linger for the remainder of the month.
"That is actually better for us. You don’t want to go from winter to summer because that creates all kinds of pollen and allergies and floods and muds," Phillips said.
"Let nature take its time.”
Spring will officially arrive at 5:24 p.m. on Monday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.