fall colours toronto

Fall might be outrageously beautiful in Toronto this year

Watch out New England — this year's fall colours in Toronto and surrounding areas are poised to be downright stunning thanks in part to the very things that made this past summer miserable: cooler temperatures and rain.

One of of the keys to amazing fall foliage is the health of trees heading into the period in which colours change. Last year's hot and dry summer, for instance, took its toll of leaf-cover across Southern Ontario, which at least somewhat muted fall displays.

Toronto hasn't had a particularly wet summer compared to yearly averages, but the city and surrounding area did experience timely rains for its greenery. With no droughts or long periods of intense heat, our trees are in great shape heading into fall.

This is half of the picture. The second part of the formula to create outstanding fall colours is warm and sunny days followed by cool (but not freezing) nights, which help to form red and purple pigments, which lead to the most saturated colours.

While long term forecasts are notoriously fickle, these ideal conditions are what climatologists are calling for as we approach fall.

“If you have been complaining about the summer, nature is going to make up for it by giving us a glorious fall," Environment Canada's David Phillips recently told CTV News.

If you're already excited about fall colours in Ontario, you can follow the foliage progress here.

Lead photo by

Benson Kua


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in City

Some Canadians fed up with constant complaints about the country

More daily ferry trips now available to Toronto Islands but people question schedule cuts

Viral thread compares Toronto's transit system to New York

Terrifying videos show train passing through Ontario city while completely on fire

Breathtaking cherry blossoms draw massive crowds to High Park in Toronto

Toronto ranked among the best cities in the world for millennials

Toronto dog helps save poisoned fox's life through rare procedure

Toronto reacts with outrage and generosity after Umar Zameer acquitted for murder