Toronto Breaks Weather Record – Barely – As Warm Spell Nears An End

Posted October 22, 2007 12:00 pm.

This article is more than 5 years old.

It’s official. By the very narrowest of margins possible, Toronto officially broke a temperature record Monday, after the mercury soared to 25.1C around 4pm, just edging out the old mark of 25.0C set back on October 22nd 1979. It’s an amazing feat considering the date on the calendar. And knowing that it’s coming to an end by Tuesday had just about everyone out in shorts and a T-shirt for one last summer fling during the day.

“It kind of energizes you,” observes Peter Mason, as he enjoys the sun in a local park. “It’s a beautiful day. This is going to be the last probably beautiful day we’re going to have out here.”

And most couldn’t wait to take advantage of it. Golf courses were filled to capacity in some areas, as duffers used blue skies to get one last chance on the greens. “We are full,” proclaims Marc Gruehl of Piper’s Health Golf Club. “We’ve been at capacity ever since 8 in the morning and we’re going to be full all day today.”

It’s not surprising considering the normal high for this time of year is just 13C. But while we’re having a ball – golf or otherwise – enjoying the wonderful warmth, there is a downside to the wacky weather.

Many birds haven’t left for their annual migration yet. Bugs that would be long gone are still flying around. And plants that should have shriveled are back in bloom too early. “Animals and plants get a little confused and may not go dormant in time and may suffer damage,” worries Dena Lewis of the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority.

And believe it or not, the conditions are even affecting our equine friends. One of the horses at the Halton School of Equitation got sick recently and dropped 100 pounds in just three days. “Blame the weather,” explains spokesperson Auriel Halliday. “Apparently they’re seeing it in all the stables. Colic. It’s colic. And they’re beginning to get digestive problems. Their coats are growing too thickly.”

The prolonged warm weather can be particularly stressful on trees. So both the Conservation Authority and the city are urging you to water them thoroughly. They think it’s summer, so treat them as if it is.

But you may not have to do it for too much longer. Because a cold dose of reality is around the corner beginning on Tuesday.

After an amazing October run that forecasters already say is the hottest ever recorded – including a day of record shattering heat on Sunday and an unbeliveable 32C on Thanksgiving Monday – many wondered when it would all end. And now we know. It’s this week. Rain will move in overnight and by the time we reach Thursday, we could see overnight lows touching 2C – and a risk of frost in the suburbs.

But considering the winter that may be ahead, it sure was nice while it lasted. That freezin’ season is still a while away. It arrives on December 22nd – exactly two months from now.

Check the latest forecast

Check the current conditions in your area

Wondering what the all-time records are for the full month of October? Here’s a look:

All time record highs for October: (1938-2007)@ Pearson International Airport

October 1 ^st: 29.5C in 2002

October 2 ^nd: 28.3C in 1971

October 3 ^rd: 27.1C in 2001

October 4 ^th: 27.2C in 1951

October 5 ^th: 30.6 in 1951

October 6 ^th: 29.4C in 1963

October 7 ^th: 29.4C in 1946

October 8 ^th: 32C in 2007