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Toronto's Rainy Summer: A Record-Breaking Summer of Heavy Downpours

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

It was the rainiest summer Toronto has seen in 16 years, with nearly half of the deluge falling on just two separate days. The summer's heavy rainfall caused widespread disruption to the city's infrastructure, with sections of the Don Valley Parkway closed, service disrupted at Union Station, and over 170,000 homes and businesses left without power. The rain also broke records at Pearson International Airport, with 511.3 millimetres of rainfall recorded throughout June, July, and August, surpassing the previous record set in 2008.

Key Takeaways:

  • Nearly half of the summer's total rainfall fell on two separate days, July 16 and August 17, with a combined total of 225.71 millimetres.
  • On July 16, Toronto experienced its fifth-wettest day in history, with nearly 98 mm of rain recorded, causing widespread disruption to the city's infrastructure.
  • The rain caused over $170,000 homes and businesses to lose power and caused significant disruption to the city's transportation system.
  • Pearson International Airport recorded its highest daily rainfall on August 17, with 128.3 millimetres.
  • The average rainfall for the city this time of year is around 59.4 millimetres, according to Environment Canada.
  • Meteorologist Gerald Cheng notes that the trend of heavy rainfall might not continue as heavily into the meteorological fall.
  • The city is forecast to maintain hot weather just before the weekend begins, with a sunny high of 27 C and a clear-skied low of 18 C at night.

Statistics:

  • 511.3 millimetres: Total rainfall recorded at Pearson International Airport throughout June, July, and August.
  • 225.71 millimetres: Total rainfall recorded on July 16 and August 17, the city's two wettest days.
  • 98 mm: Rainfall recorded in Toronto on July 16, the fifth-wettest day in its history.
  • 128.3 millimetres: Daily rainfall recorded at Pearson International Airport on August 17.
  • 170,000: Number of homes and businesses affected by power outages.
  • 59.4 millimetres: Average rainfall for the city this time of year, according to Environment Canada.
  • 23 C: High temperature forecast for Tuesday and Monday.
  • 12 C/27 C: Low/high temperature forecast for Thursday.

Sources:

  • The Star: www.thestar.com
  • Environment Canada
  • Gerald Cheng, Meteorologist, Environment Canada

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