Toronto Experiences Brief Spring Warmth on Good Friday Before Cooler Weekend

Toronto is expected to experience a sudden surge in temperatures on Good Friday, with forecasts indicating a high of 21°C. This significant jump in temperature will be a welcome change from the cooler and unsettled weather that the city has been experiencing leading into the long weekend. The warmth will be felt across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), including surrounding regions such as Mississauga, Brampton, Burlington, Oakville, and Hamilton.

The Good Friday weather is shaping up to be the standout day of the long weekend, with morning cloud and a chance of showers giving way to improved conditions in the afternoon. This brief taste of spring warmth follows a stretch of cooler, rainy weather and marks one of the first 20-degree days of the season. However, residents should not get too comfortable, as the warmth will be short-lived.

Saturday is expected to bring a high of 10-12°C, with a 60% chance of showers and periods of heavier rain possible as another system moves through southern Ontario. The day will feel noticeably cooler than Friday, and outdoor plans may be disrupted by steady rainfall. Sunday will continue the downward trend, with a high of 6°C and lingering cloud cover. While the chance of showers is lower than Saturday, the day will remain cool and unsettled, marking a sharp contrast from the early-week warmth.

Easter Monday will feel more like early March than April, with a forecast high of 3°C and a mix of sun and cloud. Overnight lows are expected to dip below freezing, and some areas could even see a few flurries. Meteorologists note that these spring fluctuations are typical but may feel especially jarring after Friday's brief surge into the 20s. Toronto's first 20°C day of 2025 arrived early in the spring, in mid-April, which aligns with this year's, despite being a bit earlier on the calendar.

In other news, a Toronto man has been charged with public incitement of hatred after allegedly bringing an antisemitic sign to a demonstration in North York. Meanwhile, Ontario Provincial Police in Caledon have made two arrests in connection with a home invasion in the town last month. An inquest into the death of Regis Korchinski-Paquet, who died in Toronto in May 2020, has been announced by the Coroner's Office. A 14-year-old is also facing charges after the Tamil Genocide Memorial at Chinguacousy Park was vandalized last month.

On a more positive note, Friday will be a historic day for the Toronto Tempo, as the franchise picks its first players in the WNBA Expansion Draft. Sportsnet columnist Sarah Maat discusses the draft and everything that still needs to happen before the season starts in May. In honour of the 20th anniversary of Gmail, Google is now allowing users in the U.S. to change their usernames without losing access to their accounts. Meanwhile, the Artemis II launch has taken off from Earth, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.