Rainfall warning in Toronto downgraded as drizzle, unseasonable cold to continue into the weekend

Toronto Star

23-05-2025

Toronto's rainfall warning was downgraded Thursday evening after Environment Canada had earlier cautioned the city could see up to 60 millimetres of rain through the day and a risk of flash floods during heavier downpours.
The weather agency lowered the warning to a special weather statement, with a forecast for showers expected to last into the weekend in the city. On top of the days-long rainfall, Environment Canada said that the city could also experience the coldest late May temperatures since 1967 this week.
The areas in Southern Ontario that are under a rainfall warning Thursday.
Environment Canada
How long will the rain last in the GTA?
Thursday morning saw about 35 millimetres of rain dumped on the city, Environment Canada said in its rainfall warning.
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A pedestrian on Bay Street weathers the rain and cold on Thursday.
Andrew Francis Wallace/ Toronto Star
In its special weather statement published at 6:15 p.m., the weather agency added that Toronto could still see another 20 to 40 millimetres of rain by Friday evening, creating a hazard and persistent risk of localized flooding.
Evening commuters at Union Station took to X to post photos of rain pouring onto the subway platform and pooling on the streetcar tracks. ' Torrential rain directly flooded Union. Oh my god, Toronto's infrastructure really needs to be improved,' one user wrote.
Another X user shared photos of water pooling on the platform and collecting in the main building as people walked through it.
The rain is connected to a slow-moving, low-pressure system that will continue to pass through the region into Friday, according to the statement.
Umbrellas were a must in Trinity Bellwoods Park on Thursday as about 35 millimetres of rain came down on the city.
Andrew Francis Wallace/ Toronto Star
Parts of the Greater Toronto Area, including York and Peel Regions, are under the same special weather statement while Pickering, Oshawa and south Durham Region are still under a rainfall warning.
The special weather statements in southern Ontario reach as far north as Parry Sound and as far east as Napanee.
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Flooding risks
'Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads,' Environment Canada said, adding localized flooding is possible in low-lying areas.
Rivers in the GTA could see high water levels and greater flows, the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority said in a watershed conditions statement on its website. Flooding isn't expected in TRCA watersheds that channel water into bigger bodies of water, the conservation authority added.
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Torontonians are asked to avoid all recreational activities in and around water, take extra caution around shorelines and avoid areas that are already eroding, the TRCA added. The water safety statement is in effect until the end of Friday.
Toronto 311 received multiple calls for overflowing manholes but had no reports of flooding, according to their neighbourhood tracking map.
To see whether your home is in a flood-vulnerable zone, check out the Star's interactive map.
How can you protect your home?
You can also take steps to prevent basement flooding both outside and inside your home, the city said on its website.
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Outside of your home, Torontonians are advised to:
Seal cracks or leaks, and seal all window wells
Clear eavestroughs and downspouts of leaves and debris
Disconnect downspouts from the sewer system, and inure they're draining properly
Repair damaged weeping tiles, also known as a French drain
Clear debris from nearby road grates to allow water to enter
Make sure the shallow ditches between houses are free of obstructions
Inside your house, residents are advised to understand and maintain the plumbing system, the city said. Avoid creating clogs by never flushing personal care products or dumping fats, oil and grease down drains.
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The weather outlook
After a rainy day on Thursday, Toronto will continue to see periods of rain with fog patches developing near midnight. Winds will pick up a bit to 20 km/h and a nighttime low of 8 C is expected.
The fog will dissipate by Friday morning but the wind and periods of rain will continue, totalling up to 10 or 15 millimetres through out the day. There will be a daytime high of 12 C that will drop to 8 C at night.
Skies will stay cloudy Friday evening with a 40 per cent chance of showers continuing into Saturday. There will be a high of 13 C, a low of 8 C and more cloudy periods at night.
But by Sunday, some sunshine is expected to peek out with a forecast for a mix of sun and cloud, and high of 16 C. Cloudy periods will return at night with a low of 9 C.