Toronto temperatures are going to swing by 18 C this week

Much of southern Ontario, including Toronto, is currently in the middle of a multi-day heat wave, which has triggered warnings across the region thanks to an elevated risk of heat illnesses, but thankfully, cool relief is on the horizon.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) put the GTA and a significant chunk of the province under an orange heat warning on Thursday, warning that maximum temperatures could reach up to 37 degrees C in some areas.

The federal department warned that minimum temperatures of 21 to 25 C will provide little relief from the heat. According to The Weather Network, humidex values could reach up to 45 C in Toronto on Thursday, around 3 p.m.

While the heat is expected to stick around for a few days, temperatures will reach a much more comfortable zone at the top of the new week. Based on ECCC's seven-day forecast, Toronto temperatures will reach their peak on Thursday, when the heat will build up to a sweltering 36 C in the afternoon.

Toronto's weather forecast for the week of July 2 to 8. Photo: ECCC

Friday is expected to be just as hot, but a little more tolerable, with a daytime high of 33 C (which will feel closer to 42 C with the humidity). On Saturday, more relief is expected, with a daytime high of 29 C that'll feel like 34 C with the humidity.

The real relief will come Saturday night, when temperatures will drop to a breezy 18 C. On Sunday, daytime temperatures will drop a bit more, to a maximum of 26 C, and nighttime temperatures will remain on the cool side at 18 C.

While the chance of thunderstorms and precipitation remains high as we round out this week, next week will likely be a lot more pleasant, as a mix of sun and clouds is expected from Sunday all the way through to Wednesday.

"Days of intense daytime heating have provided two key ingredients for yet another day of severe weather: instability and moisture. Those combined with an approaching cold front will trigger a risk for severe thunderstorms throughout the afternoon and evening hours on Thursday," The Weather Network writes in its latest report.

Overall, the Old Farmer's Almanac predicts that the average temperature in July in southern Ontario will be 21 C, which is 1 C below average in the east, and 1 C above average in the west. Precipitation totals for the month of July are expected to reach 95 mm, which is 70 mm above average in the east, and 40 mm below average in southwestern Ontario.