Spring in Toronto really shakes off winter’s chill and nudges the city toward early summer warmth. Average daytime highs (source) start near freezing in March, but by late May, they climb into the comfortable mid-60s Fahrenheit. Nights thaw out too, warming from well below freezing to the low 50s.
This transition makes spring a wild ride—sometimes you’ll spot snowflakes early on, but by the end, those mild, sunny afternoons almost feel like a reward.
Cloud cover gradually thins out as May gets closer, so you’ll notice more blue skies. Rain picks up while snow disappears, which means you get wetter days, but not the brutal storms of winter.
The days stretch out, too, adding more than four hours of daylight from early March to late May. That extra light really changes how you spend time outside.
If you’re thinking about visiting Toronto in spring, you’ll want to pack for both the chilly, damp start and the milder, brighter weather that follows. Watching how temperatures, rain, and daylight shift across the season helps you plan what to wear and what to do.
Key Spring Weather Patterns in Toronto
Spring in Toronto means steady warming, longer days, and a swap from snow to rain. As the season moves on, skies clear up, but you’ll also see more rainy days, especially by late May.
Temperature Trends from March to May
Temperatures rise sharply as spring unfolds (see extremes). In early March, daily highs hover around 1°C (34°F), and lows often dip near -5°C (23°F). By late May, highs reach about 20°C (68°F), with lows around 11°C (52°F).
March can still bring cold snaps, sometimes dropping below -5°C (23°F). By May, freezing weather pretty much disappears, and frost risk fades fast.
As things warm up, you’ll go from winter coats in March to lighter jackets or sweaters in April, and probably short sleeves by late May. This shift also signals the start of the growing season, which usually kicks off in late April.
Precipitation and Rainfall Changes
Toronto’s spring swaps snow for rain. March still brings mixed precipitation, but by May, rain takes over. The chance of a wet day climbs from about 17% in early March to almost 28% by late May.
Snow vanishes quickly. Early March might see a 31-day average of 86 mm, but by May, snow’s basically a memory.
Rainfall picks up as spring goes on. Average 31-day totals rise from around 16 mm in early March to about 49 mm by late May. Most of this comes as gentle or moderate rain, not wild downpours.
So, late spring gets wetter than early spring, and you’ll want to toss an umbrella or a light rain jacket in your bag.
Cloud Cover and Sunshine Hours
Clouds thin out as spring moves along. In early March, skies stay overcast or mostly cloudy about 57% of the time. By late May, that drops to around 48%, so you get more chances for sunshine.
Daylight grows fast. On March 1, you’ll see about 11 hours of daylight, but by May 31, that jumps to over 15 hours.
Sunrise creeps earlier, and sunset stretches later into the evening. By late May, the sun sets close to 9:00 p.m., which gives you those long, golden evenings for hanging out outside.
Clearer skies and longer days make late spring a pretty great time to explore Toronto.
Monthly Breakdown of Spring Weather
Spring in Toronto shifts quickly from cold and snowy to mild and comfortable days. You’ll spot longer daylight hours, fewer clouds, and more rain as the weeks go by. Temperatures rise, and snow becomes rare by late April.
March: Late Winter to Early Spring Conditions
March honestly still feels like winter. Average highs start near 34°F (1°C), while lows can sink to 22°F (-6°C). Snow shows up often early in the month, with about 3–4 inches in a 31‑day stretch.
Rain starts to edge out snow as March rolls on, but you can still get a mix. Wet days happen about 17% of the time, so you’ll want both a warm coat and something waterproof.
Daylight grows fast, adding over an hour by month’s end. Winds blow briskly, averaging 13 mph, mostly from the west, which makes things feel colder than the numbers say.
If you’re heading out, dress in layers and expect chilly evenings. March swings between freezing mornings and milder afternoons, so flexibility is key.
April: Warming Temperatures and Increased Rain
April finally brings a real warm‑up. Highs climb to 52°F (11°C) by mid‑month, and lows stick around 37°F (3°C). Snow almost disappears, with just a dusting possible early on.
Rain becomes a regular guest, with a wet day chance of about 22%. Rainfall in a 31‑day period bumps up to 1–1.5 inches, so you’ll be glad to have an umbrella.
Clouds clear a bit, but skies stay partly cloudy. Winds calm down to about 11 mph, making it nicer to be outside.
Daylight passes 13 hours, so you have more time for the waterfront or city parks. April’s also when the growing season usually starts, and frost risk drops off late in the month.
May: Mild Weather and Longer Days
May feels like spring finally settles in. Highs reach 67°F (19°C), and lows stay near 52°F (11°C). Forget about snow—rainfall hits about 1.9 inches in a 31‑day window.
Rainy days nearly hit 28%, but most days still have dry stretches. Humidity stays low, so even on warmer days, it feels pretty nice.
Daylight stretches past 15 hours by month’s end, with sunsets near 9 PM. Winds slack off to 9 mph, making evenings outside genuinely pleasant.
Toronto’s parks and gardens bloom by this point. You get mild temperatures, long days, and a taste of summer without the muggy air of July or August.
Spring Temperature Ranges and Extremes
Spring in Toronto brings a steady climb in daily temperatures, but the season can feel unpredictable. You’ll get a mix of mild afternoons, chilly mornings, and the odd cold snap that hangs on from winter.
Average Highs and Lows
From March to May, the average daily high rises from about 5°C (41°F) in early March to around 19°C (66°F) by late May. Lows follow along, moving from about -2°C (28°F) in March to 10°C (50°F) in May.
This steady rise makes spring one of Toronto’s most dramatic seasonal transitions. By late April, you can spend more time outside, but you’ll still want a jacket at night.
Here’s a quick look at typical averages:
Month | Avg High | Avg Low |
---|---|---|
March | 5°C (41°F) | -2°C (28°F) |
April | 12°C (54°F) | 4°C (39°F) |
May | 19°C (66°F) | 10°C (50°F) |
These numbers are a good guide, but Toronto’s spring weather doesn’t always play by the rules.
Notable Temperature Fluctuations
Toronto’s spring weather jumps around a lot, thanks to its spot near Lake Ontario. Cold air over the lake can keep the shoreline chilly, while inland areas warm up faster. Sometimes, one neighborhood feels several degrees different from another.
Late-season snow can still surprise you in March or even early April. It’s not the norm, but it does happen—just a little reminder that winter isn’t quite done.
May can throw in a hot day or two, with highs briefly topping 25°C (77°F).
These swings mean you’ll want to dress in layers and expect the weather to change from week to week. Rain showers often tag along with these shifts, adding to the unpredictability. Checking daily forecasts really helps if you’re planning to be outside.
Spring Precipitation and Snowfall Patterns
Toronto’s spring weather brings in more rain as it warms up, and snow fades fast. Wet days become a regular part of life, especially from late April onward.
Rainy Days and Wet Weather
Rainfall increases as spring goes on, with April and May seeing the most wet days. On average, you’ll get 10–13 days of measurable rain per month.
Most of the rain falls in light or moderate bursts, but heavy showers can pop up in May. Monthly precipitation usually ranges from 60 mm to 85 mm, gradually taking over from winter’s lighter snow.
Humidity edges up too, making damp days feel cooler than the thermometer says. Rain gear comes in handy, since showers can show up without much warning.
By late spring, rain is the main kind of precipitation, setting up for the humid summer ahead.
Transition from Snow to Rain
Snow sticks around only in early spring. March brings 5–10 cm of snow, but by April it’s rare, and in May, it’s gone.
As daily highs rise from the mid-30s °F in March to the mid-60s °F by late May, rain quickly replaces snow. March might still mix in some wet snow, but April usually ends the regular snow events.
Slushy messes can happen if late snow falls on already thawed ground, but the stronger spring sun melts it fast.
By mid-spring, rain fully takes over, and snow-covered streets become damp, clear sidewalks and parks.
Daylight Hours and Sunlight Changes
Spring in Toronto brings longer days and more direct sun than winter ever does. Daylight hours stretch out, and sunrise and sunset shift, changing how you plan your days and what you can do outside.
Lengthening Days
From March to May, Toronto’s daylight grows quickly. Early March gives you about 11 hours of daylight, and by late May, you’re up to almost 15 hours.
The Northern Hemisphere tilts toward the sun during spring, so each month adds 30 to 60 minutes of daylight. By late spring, evenings feel much longer, giving you more time outside after work or school.
Here’s a quick daylight breakdown:
Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
---|---|
March | 11–12 hours |
April | 13–14 hours |
May | 14–15 hours |
More daylight means more sunshine hours, too. As cloud cover drops from early to late spring, you don’t just get longer days—you get more sunny ones.
Sunrise and Sunset Times
Sunrise and sunset times shift fast in spring. Early March starts with sunrise around 6:50–7:00 AM and sunset close to 6:00 PM. By late May, sunrise jumps to about 5:40 AM, and sunset stretches to 8:50 PM.
Mornings brighten up earlier, which can help you start your day sooner. Evenings last longer—great for outdoor dinners, sports, or just wandering the city.
The pace of change is quicker in spring than summer. Each week, you’ll see several extra minutes of light at both ends of the day. That rapid shift is part of what makes spring in Toronto feel so different from the dark, short days of winter.
Travel Considerations for Spring in Toronto
Spring in Toronto can feel unpredictable. One day, you’re basking in the sun, and the next, you’re dodging cold rain. You’ll want to pack for quick temperature swings, sudden showers, and those longer daylight hours that sneak up on you.
Don’t forget, flight delays sometimes happen at both major airports when the weather gets weird.
What to Pack for Variable Weather
In early March, you might wake up to near-freezing temperatures, but by late May, Toronto can feel pretty comfortable. You could need a warm sweater in the morning, then shed layers by afternoon, only to pull them back on for a chilly, damp evening.
Bring layered clothing like:
- A light waterproof jacket
- A warm sweater or fleece
- Walking shoes that can handle rain
- A small umbrella
You’ll probably want gloves and a hat if you’re here in March. By late May, lighter clothes make more sense. Toronto’s spring rain tends to pick up as the weeks go by, so a good water-resistant jacket is more useful than just an umbrella.
If you’re planning to spend time outside, pack shoes with solid grip. Wet sidewalks can catch you off guard. For evenings, a medium-weight jacket usually does the trick, especially if you’re near the lake—those breezes can surprise you.
Navigating the City During Spring
Toronto’s transit system—subways, buses, and streetcars—usually runs pretty smoothly in spring. Still, heavy rain can cause the odd delay. Once the weather warms up, walking is a nice way to get around, though you’ll probably find puddles everywhere in April.
Rainy days tend to slow down traffic, so give yourself a little extra time if you’re using taxis or rideshares. Cycling is doable, but in early spring, you might run into icy patches, so stay alert until things dry out.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport sits right on the waterfront. You can get downtown fast by shuttle or ferry, which is pretty handy. Sometimes, wind and fog slow things down a bit, but once you’re there, public transit and walking routes are easy to figure out.
Airport Weather Impacts
Toronto Pearson International Airport is the city’s main hub, handling most international flights. Spring storms mess with schedules a lot, especially in April when rain just keeps coming.
Wet runways or low visibility can really slow things down.
Billy Bishop Airport sits closer to the lake, and since it’s smaller, it deals with a lot more fog and sudden wind shifts. Flights sometimes get delayed or rescheduled when the weather flips fast.
If you’re connecting through either airport, check your flight status often. Give yourself extra time for security and boarding, just in case.
Booking a morning flight usually helps dodge delays, since weather tends to get worse as the day goes on.
Both airports offer solid ground transportation options. Still, getting to and from Pearson takes longer, especially when wet weather slows down traffic.