Toronto has been baking under one of its hottest summers on record — and climatologists say it may be less of a fluke and more of a preview of what’s to come.

So far, the summer of 2025 has already delivered six heat waves and 14 days above 32°C, more than double the long-term average. Environment Canada’s David Phillips warns that by 2050, this extreme heat could be Toronto’s new normal, with summers regularly seeing 15–16 days at these scorching levels.

It’s not just daytime highs causing concern. Hot nights are becoming more frequent, with 24 evenings staying above 20°C this year alone — double the number seen at the start of the century. For many Torontonians, the relentless heat is making daily life harder, from packed streetcars to sleepless nights.

And the ripple effects don’t stop there. Experts warn of droughts, wildfires, and flooding as climate extremes collide. With Canada already experiencing record-breaking wildfire seasons, the combination of heat, smoke, and poor air quality is raising red flags for the years ahead.

Phillips says Toronto must prepare by cutting greenhouse gas emissions and adapting its infrastructure, from transit systems to roads, to withstand hotter, harsher summers.