Toronto’s fall season really makes you notice the weather changing, both in how it looks and feels. Average daily high temperatures start out in the low 70s °F in early September, then drop to around 40°F by late November. Lows slide from about 60°F to near freezing. You get crisp mornings, chilly evenings, and end up rethinking your outdoor plans.
Clouds roll in more often as the weeks go by. Early September can still bring some bright, clear days, but by late fall, overcast skies take over. Rain happens less often, and you might spot the first snowflakes before winter even starts. These shifts definitely change what you wear and how you get around.
Daylight doesn’t stick around for long, either. You lose several hours between September and November. Stronger winds and colder water on Lake Ontario make the season feel nothing like summer. It’s good to know these patterns so you can actually enjoy fall in Toronto and not just endure it.
Overview of Fall Weather in Toronto
Fall in Toronto means dropping temperatures, shorter days, and way more cloud cover. You’ll notice things shifting from mild and pleasant to cold and sometimes damp, all between early September and late November.
Key Fall Weather Characteristics
Temperatures fall off pretty quickly. Early September brings daytime highs around 20°C (68°F), but by late November, you’re lucky to get 5°C (41°F). Nights go from 15°C (59°F) down to about -1°C (30°F).
Rain is still around, though the totals drop as fall goes on. September sees about 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain, while November only brings 1.3 inches (33 mm). Light snow usually shows up in late October or November, adding up to about 1–2 inches (2–5 cm) by the end of fall.
Clouds keep piling up. You’ll see more clear skies in early September, but by late November, gray days win out. Humidity drops, so muggy afternoons are rare. Winds pick up too, especially from the west, and by the end of the season, they average 9–13 mph.
Seasonal Weather Patterns
You can’t help but notice the days getting shorter. Between September and November, daylight drops by about four hours. Sunsets move from nearly 7:50 PM to just 4:40 PM. Even on warmer days, it feels darker and colder.
Lake Ontario plays a big part in all this. Early fall gets a bit of warmth from the water, but as it cools off, you get colder winds and damp weather.
Rain patterns change, too. September brings more showers, but late October and November often mix in the first snow. The growing season usually wraps up by late October, and winter starts knocking.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall is way cooler and less humid. Summer highs sit around 25°C (77°F), but fall temperatures drop quickly. You also lose several daylight hours, which can put a damper on outdoor plans.
Winter is harsher, with highs rarely climbing above freezing and snow piling up. Fall feels more like a slow slide into the cold, with lighter rain and only a bit of snow.
Spring is kind of like fall in reverse. It starts cold and warms up, while fall cools down from mild weather. Both seasons bring plenty of rain, but fall is windier and gets dark earlier.
Average Fall Temperatures in Toronto
Fall in Toronto means steadily dropping temperatures, shorter days, and cooler nights. September feels mild, but by late October, it’s chilly, and November can feel almost like winter.
Monthly Temperature Trends
September brings average highs of about 73°F (23°C), with nights around 60°F (16°C). Early fall is honestly one of the best times to be outside.
October cools off fast. Highs average 57°F (14°C), and lows drop to 45°F (7°C). You’ll probably want a light jacket during the day and something warmer at night.
November is just cold. Highs hit 45°F (7°C), and lows are closer to 34°F (1°C). Frost shows up a lot, and snow usually isn’t far behind.
| Month | Avg High (°F/°C) | Avg Low (°F/°C) |
|---|---|---|
| September | 73 / 23 | 60 / 16 |
| October | 57 / 14 | 45 / 7 |
| November | 45 / 7 | 34 / 1 |
Daytime vs. Nighttime Temperatures
Day and night feel totally different. In September, nights stay mild, usually above 55°F (13°C), so evenings are still nice for being outside.
By October, nights get chilly, often dropping into the 40s°F (5–9°C). That’s when you really start to feel the season change.
In November, nighttime lows hover near freezing. Toronto Pearson International Airport often records overnight temperatures below 32°F (0°C). These cold nights signal that winter’s almost here.
The difference between day and night can swing 10–20°F (5–10°C), so layering up is your best bet.
Temperature Extremes and Variability
Averages only tell part of the story. Toronto’s weather can surprise you. Early September sometimes still feels like summer, with highs hitting 80°F (27°C).
By late fall, cold snaps might push temperatures below 30°F (-1°C), especially overnight and outside downtown.
Extreme heat is rare after mid-September, but sudden cold fronts are pretty common in October and November. Weather can flip from mild afternoons to frosty mornings with little warning.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, records show that daily highs almost never top 81°F (27°C) in fall, but lows can plunge into the teens°F (-7°C to -9°C) during a cold spell. That’s a pretty wide range for one city.
Precipitation Patterns During Fall
Toronto’s fall weather brings less rain, the first hints of snow, and fewer wet days than summer. You’ll notice a shift from mostly rain in September to a mix of rain and snow by late November.
Average Rainfall by Month
Rainfall drops as the season moves along. September is usually the wettest month, with about 2.0 to 2.1 inches (50–55 mm) of rain. By October, it’s down to 1.6 inches (40 mm), and November averages 1.3 inches (30–35 mm).
Rain comes in scattered showers, not big downpours. You might get 10–13 rainy days in September, 9–11 in October, and 8–10 in November. Heavy rain is less likely than in summer, but light showers are still around.
At Toronto Pearson International Airport, you’ll see the same pattern—September is the wettest fall month. If you’re planning outdoor stuff, September has a higher chance of rain interruptions.
Snowfall Onset and Accumulation
Snow usually makes its first appearance by late October or early November. Early snowfalls are light and melt fast, but by late November, you start seeing some real accumulation.
Average snowfall climbs from 0 inches in September to about 1 inch in October, and then up to 3–5 inches in November. Most years, snow doesn’t stick around until late November.
At Pearson Airport, the first measurable snow usually falls in early November, but sometimes flurries show up in late October. These early snows aren’t as heavy as winter, but they can still mess with travel and outdoor plans.
Frequency of Wet Days
Your chances of a wet day (meaning at least 0.04 inches (1 mm) of precipitation) drop as fall goes on. Early September gives you about a 25–26% chance per day. By late November, it’s down to 20–22%.
September and October mostly bring rain, but by November, mixed precipitation is more common. The chance of both rain and snow in a day rises to about 3%, while snow-only days hit around 2%.
By late fall, you’re more likely to see a few light snow showers, though rain still wins out until winter really sets in.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
During fall in Toronto, skies shift fast from mostly clear in September to heavy cloud cover by late November. Sunshine hours fade, and overcast days pile up as winter gets closer. These changes can really affect your mood and your plans.
Cloud Cover Changes Through Fall
September skies are still pretty clear. Cloud cover averages 40–45%, so you’ll get a lot of partly sunny days. Early fall feels brighter and more open.
In October, clouds take over about 50–55% of the sky. You’ll still see sunshine, but gray days start to win.
By November, overcast conditions are the norm. Cloud cover hits 60% or more, and clear days are rare. December only gets cloudier from there.
Average Hours of Sunshine
Sunshine hours take a hit as fall goes on. In September, you get about 6–7 hours per day. With longer daylight, early fall feels cheerful.
October knocks that down to 4–5 hours per day, and daylight drops to about 11 hours. You’ll spend more time under clouds, even when the sun peeks through.
By November, you’re down to just 3–4 hours of sunshine a day. With only 9–10 hours of daylight, the city feels a lot dimmer. Shorter days and less sun really stand out this month.
Visibility and Overcast Days
Visibility’s usually good in fall, but rain and clouds can block your view. September offers the clearest sights, especially over Lake Ontario or downtown.
October brings more gray days and sometimes a little haze or drizzle. Toronto doesn’t get as foggy as coastal cities, but misty mornings do happen.
By November, overcast skies seem endless. You might go days without seeing the sun. Late afternoons look especially gray as daylight fades.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
In fall, Toronto gets stronger winds and higher humidity than in summer. These changes make it feel cooler and can really affect how you enjoy time outside.
Typical Wind Speeds and Directions
Winds pick up steadily through fall. Average speeds go from 9 mph in September to almost 13 mph by November. October often feels especially breezy, with gusts showing up as colder air blows in from the north and west.
The windiest stretch usually starts in late October and runs into spring. Sustained winds above 11 mph are pretty common. Most of the time, winds come from the west and northwest, bringing in cool, dry air.
If you’re heading outside, expect stronger winds along the waterfront or in open spots. Downtown, tall buildings can create wind tunnels that make it feel even wilder. A light, wind-resistant jacket goes a long way.
Humidity and Dew Point Levels
Toronto’s fall air usually feels humid, with average relative humidity around 70, sometimes up to 75%. Cooler air just can’t hold as much moisture, so even if the percentage looks high, the air often doesn’t feel muggy.
You might notice damp mornings and a chill when humidity mixes with those lower temperatures.
The dew point sits in the mid-40s °F (7–8°C) early in the fall, then drops to the upper 30s °F (3–4°C) by November. These numbers help keep the air cool and crisp.
High humidity makes mornings feel colder, especially if the wind picks up. Fog tends to form more often in low-lying areas and near Lake Ontario.
If you’re walking or cycling early, you’ll probably want to plan for damp conditions.
Daylight Duration and Sun Position
As fall rolls on in Toronto, daylight hours shrink, and the sun sinks lower in the sky. These shifts change how much natural light you get each day, and they affect when the sun rises and sets.
Changes in Daylight Hours
In September, you get about 12.5 hours of daylight. By October, it’s closer to 11 hours, and late November means just 9 hours of daylight.
The shortest days show up in December, but the slide starts around mid-September and keeps going through the fall.
Mornings stay dark for longer, and evenings lose their light earlier.
As the season goes on, the sun climbs lower in the sky. That lower angle stretches out shadows and makes even sunny afternoons feel cooler.
| Month | Approx. Daylight |
|---|---|
| September | 12–12.5 hours |
| October | 10.5–11 hours |
| November | 9–9.5 hours |
Sunrise and Sunset Times
In early September, the sun rises around 6:45 am and sets close to 7:45 pm. By October, sunrise shifts to about 7:30 am, and sunset lands near 6:30 pm.
Late November brings sunrise after 7:30 am, and sunset can drop as early as 4:45 pm. Short evenings really stand out, and there’s less time for anything outdoors after work or school.
The sun travels across the sky at a lower angle compared to summer. By midday, it sits farther south, which takes the edge off the sunlight and cuts down the time you get direct overhead light.
Impact of Daylight Saving Time
Daylight Saving Time wraps up in early November. When we set the clocks back an hour, we get more light in the morning but lose it in the evening.
For instance, sunrise might jump from 7:45 am to 6:45 am overnight. Sunset also shifts, changing from 6:15 pm to 5:15 pm.
This change can make mornings seem a bit brighter, while evenings suddenly feel a lot darker.
The time switch tends to shake up daily routines. If you’re planning outdoor activities, you’ll probably need to tweak your schedule to keep up with the earlier sunsets.
A lot of people notice this shift most in November, since daylight hours are already running short.