Rare October heat may yield record temperatures at Toronto events
A rare October heat wave aligns with a packed Toronto event lineup this weekend, with temperatures feeling more like August.
Be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen if you're heading to downtown Toronto for the first two Blue Jays playoff games on Saturday and Sunday, or if you're venturing out to Nuit Blanche this evening.
Toronto is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the fall season. A surge of unusual fall warmth set the stage for a jam-packed Saturday evening of events across the city.
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A region of high pressure has settled over the U.S. East Coast, pulling up warm air from the south and into the Great Lakes region.
Weekend attractions will be enhanced by Toronto's warmth
Saturday will likely be the warmest day of the weekend.
The high pressure bringing in the heat will also make sure the skies stay clear over the weekend, meaning the roof of the Rogers Centre will most likely be open.
The same warmth will also be of welcome to those planning on attending Nuit Blanche on Saturday evening.
Warmest Nuit Blanche on record?
After dark is when the city will come alive with the all-night arts festival, which could feature record-setting warmth this year. The affair will begin with temperatures well above the 20-degree mark, making it the warmest Nuit Blanche in event history.
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Average statistics for a Nuit Blanche as of 7 p.m.
Average (2006–2024): 13.2°C
Coldest: 7°C (2014)
Previous warmest: 22°C (2021)
2025 Forecast: 23°C--set to be the warmest on record for a Nuit Blanche evening
Toronto's daytime temperature on Saturday is expected to reach the mid- or upper 20s, with humidex values pushing into near 30 during the first pitch at the New York Yankees-Blue Jays game at the Rogers Centre.
This will likely be the warmest post-season Major League Baseball (MLB) game played in Toronto on record.
Previous warmest playoff game in Toronto:
Oct. 18, 2016 – Game 4 of the American League Championship Series (Blue Jays 5–1 win over Cleveland).
High temperature: 25.6°C
Coolest playoff game in Toronto (yes, it snowed)
Oct. 20, 1992 – Game 3 of the World Series (Blue Jays 3–2 win over the Atlanta Braves).
High temperature: 4°C
Be sure to drink plenty of water while at the game and wear a wide-brimmed hat if sitting outside of the shaded areas.
Meanwhile, Toronto’s seasonal norms for Oct. 4 are 16°C as a daytime high and 7°C as the average low overnight.
Sunday won't be any cooler with a high of 25°C, feeling like 30.
What's next?
The heat over the province will help to fuel thunderstorms across northwestern Ontario over the weekend.
Forecasters are watching for the storm track to make its way over the rest of the province on Tuesday or Wednesday, which will break the heat.
Chilly rains will help to make the midweek feel like proper fall. There's also a chance for a rumble or two of thunder as a cold front sweeps over the province.
Stay with The Weather Network for more information and updates on your weather across Ontario.