December 31, 2025: Toronto New Year’s Weekend Travel Weather — Flurries, Squall Risk Today, Then Sunny-but-Cold New Year’s Day
Thunder Bay – Weather – If you’re travelling to Toronto for New Year’s weekend, expect a classic late-December setup: flurries today with a risk of snow squalls this afternoon, a sharp cold drop tonight, then bright but cold weather for New Year’s Day.
After that, the weekend looks relatively quiet—mostly cloudy, seasonably cold, and generally manageable for travel.
Always check 511on.ca for the latest road conditions and make sure if you are driving to pack the needed Winter Survival items.
Today’s Weather Overview
Current Conditions (Toronto Pearson, 7:00 AM EST)
Toronto Pearson is reporting mostly cloudy skies with a temperature near -6°C. Winds are WSW 23 km/h (gusting 33 km/h), bringing the wind chill to about -13. Visibility is excellent at 24 km, and pressure is rising (100.6 kPa)—often a sign of improving conditions later, but not before today’s flurry burst.
What to expect today (New Year’s Eve – Wednesday)
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Sky: Mainly cloudy
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Snow: 30% chance of flurries this morning, with flurries beginning near noon
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Main concern: Risk of snow squalls this afternoon
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Snow amount: Around 2 cm locally (but squalls can briefly pile up snow fast)
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Wind: Southwest 20 km/h gusting 40
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High: -3°C
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Feels like: Wind chill near -13
Travel impact (important):
Snow squalls are the “wildcard” because they can create sudden whiteouts and quick bursts of snow-covered lanes, especially on open stretches of highway. If you’re driving in from outside the GTA, the worst slowdowns tend to happen during those short, intense bursts.
Tomorrow’s Forecast
Expected Conditions (Next Three Days)
Tonight (Wednesday night)
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Mainly cloudy with a 60% chance of flurries this evening, then clearing overnight
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Wind shifts north 30 km/h gusting 50, becoming light before morning
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Low: -15°C
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Wind chill: About -11 early, dropping near -20 overnight
What this means: Any damp pavement or slush can freeze up overnight—watch for black ice early Thursday, especially on ramps and bridges.
Thursday, January 1 (New Year’s Day)
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Sunny
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Wind NW 30 km/h, becoming light in the morning
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High: -6°C
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Wind chill: Near -26 in the morning, improving to around -12 in the afternoon
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Outdoor plans note: It’ll look nice, but that morning wind chill is bitey.
Friday, January 2
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Cloudy
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High: -2°C
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Friday night: Cloudy periods, low -10°C
Saturday, January 3
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A mix of sun and cloud
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High: -4°C
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Saturday night: Cloudy periods, low -8°C
Sunday, January 4
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Cloudy
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High: -2°C
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Sunday night: 40% chance of flurries, low -3°C
Wardrobe Recommendations
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Today (wind + flurries/squall risk): Winter coat with a wind-blocking outer layer, warm mid-layer, toque, and mitts. If you’ll be outside for countdown events, add a scarf/neck warmer.
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Tonight into Thursday morning (cold drop): Upgrade gloves to mitts, wear insulated boots, and cover exposed skin—wind chill near -20 overnight and -26 Thursday morning can sting fast.
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Weekend: Still winter gear, but conditions look more “normal cold” compared to the overnight plunge.
Travel Tips for the GTA
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Best caution window: Wednesday afternoon (squall risk) and early Thursday (refreeze/black ice potential).
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If driving: keep washer fluid topped up, clear lights/plates, and leave extra space—GTA traffic plus squalls can get messy fast.
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If flying: flurries can cause de-icing and minor delays; keep essentials in your carry-on.
Weather Trivia
A snow squall isn’t just “heavy flurries”—it’s a fast-hitting burst of snow that can drop visibility dramatically in minutes, even if totals are small. That’s why squalls often cause bigger travel headaches than a steady, lighter snowfall.
Weather Summary
Toronto New Year’s weekend travel weather (Pearson): flurries today with a risk of snow squalls this afternoon and about 2 cm possible. Clearing overnight with a sharp drop to -15°C. Sunny but very cold wind chills New Year’s Day, then a quieter, mostly cloudy weekend.
