Winter in Toronto: proper cold, a lot of snow and how to keep the heating bill down

A Toronto winter is nothing like a damp January in Leeds: it's colder, brighter, snowier and longer, and the trick is to dress for it rather than fight it.

The short version

• Winter weather usually runs from November to March, with most snow in January and February. Toronto gets about 130 cm of snow a winter, and a typical snowstorm drops 5 to 10 cm [1].
• The wind chill is what bites. Weeks well below freezing are normal, and cold snaps can feel far colder than the thermometer says.
• The City clears roads and public pavements. Crews start on pavements at 2 cm of snow and can take 24 to 48 hours to finish everywhere [1].
• If you rent, your landlord must keep your flat at a minimum of 21°C from 1 October to 15 May [2].
• Buy a proper insulated coat, waterproof boots with grip, and gloves, a hat and a scarf. It's money well spent.

What a Toronto winter is really like

The first surprise for Brits is that it's often sunny. A crisp, blue-sky day at minus something can be glorious. The second surprise is how cold "cold" gets. Weeks of daytime temperatures below 0°C are normal in January and February, and when the wind comes off Lake Ontario or down from the north, the wind chill makes it feel much colder. Environment and Climate Change Canada issues extreme cold warnings when it gets dangerous, and the WeatherCAN app will push them to your phone [3].

Snow comes in bursts. City figures put the average at about 130 cm a winter, with a typical storm bringing 5 to 10 cm [1]. Every so often a big one brings much more and the city slows down for a day or two. In between you get grey slush, salt-stained boots and ice where it melts and refreezes overnight. Spring can be a tease: a warm week in March is often followed by another snowfall.

Compared with life back home in Blighty:

Indoors you'll often be too hot rather than too cold. Offices, shops, the TTC and condo buildings are well heated, so dress in layers you can peel off.

The right coat, boots and kit

This is where newcomers waste money, either by under-buying (a UK wool coat won't cut it in February) or by buying a parka fit for the Arctic that's too warm for the TTC.

What actually works:

1. An insulated, windproof coat that covers your bum. Down or a good synthetic fill, with a hood. Many locals swear by a knee-length parka.
2. Waterproof winter boots with a thick, grippy sole. Salt and slush ruin leather shoes. Look for a temperature rating and room for a thick sock.
3. Layers underneath. A thermal base layer and a jumper or fleece let you cope with both minus 15°C outside and a stuffy office.
4. Hat, gloves or mittens and a scarf or neck warmer. Mittens are warmer than gloves. Covering your ears and face matters on windy days.
5. Ice grips that slip over your boots for icy pavements, especially if you're older or walk the dog early.

Buy in October or November before the rush, or in the January sales if you can borrow kit until then. Toronto's PATH, the underground walkway linking much of downtown, is a godsend on the coldest days if you work in the core.

Snow clearing: who does what

The City of Toronto runs a big winter operation. Its own figures, from its October 2024 fact sheet, cover about 14,700 lane km of roads and 7,900 km of pavements [1]. Here's how it works [1]:

• Roads. Plows go out at 2.5 cm on expressways, 5 cm on main roads and transit routes, and 8 cm on residential streets. Main roads and TTC routes come first; residential streets can take up to 14 hours after the snow stops.
• Pavements. Crews start clearing all public pavements at 2 cm of snow. Each round takes about 12 hours, so clearing every pavement can take 24 to 48 hours. About 95% are cleared by machine.
• Bus stops and crossings. Crews clear transit stops, crosswalks and school loading zones.
• The end of your drive. On eligible streets the City clears the windrow (the ridge of snow the plough leaves across your driveway), usually starting about 14 hours after the snow stops [1].

What the City doesn't do is clear your path, steps or driveway, so if you own or rent a house, check your lease and get a decent shovel and a bag of salt or grit. Shovel little and often after a storm rather than tackling a heavy, compacted pile, and lift with your legs. Toronto Public Health warns that shovelling raises the risk of back injuries, falls and even heart attacks [3]. If you rent a flat in a condo or a rental block, the building usually handles it.

Parking during a snow emergency can carry extra restrictions on some routes, so watch for signs and city alerts if you have a car. If you drive, winter tyres are a smart buy. They aren't legally required in Ontario, but they make a big difference on ice, and insurers may offer a discount. Our driving guide covers the rest.

Heating: your landlord's duty and your bills

Renting? Toronto's bylaw requires landlords to keep rental units at a minimum of 21°C from 1 October to 15 May each year [2]. If your flat is colder than that, tell your landlord in writing first, then complain to the City through 311 if nothing changes. Many Toronto rents include heat, especially in older rental blocks, so check your lease.

If you pay for your own heat, the bills come from two places:

• Gas, usually from Enbridge Gas, if you have a gas furnace or boiler. Most Toronto houses heat this way.
• Electricity, from Toronto Hydro, for electric baseboard heaters (common in some flats and basements), heat pumps and the furnace fan.

Bills vary hugely by home, so we won't give you a figure that won't match yours. A draughty semi in the east end costs far more to heat than a new condo sandwiched between neighbours. Ask the landlord or seller for the last winter's bills before you commit.

Ways to keep the bill down:

1. Get a programmable or smart thermostat and turn it down a few degrees at night and when you're out.
2. Seal draughts around windows and doors with weatherstripping. Plastic window film is cheap and surprisingly effective in older houses.
3. Change the furnace filter regularly and have the furnace serviced before winter.
4. Close blinds at night, open them on sunny days. Toronto winter sun is a free heater.
5. Look for rebates. Ontario, Enbridge and Toronto Hydro have run programmes for insulation, heat pumps and lower-income households over the years. Check what's open when you need it.
6. Watch the humidity. Heated air gets very dry. A humidifier helps with dry skin and static, and makes a lower temperature feel more comfortable.

Staying well through the winter

Cold weather can worsen heart and lung conditions, and the risk of frostbite is real on the harshest days, especially for older people and babies [3]. The City opens warming centres during extreme cold [3]. If you're new and not yet on OHIP, a slip on the ice can be expensive: the UK and Canada have no reciprocal healthcare agreement, so keep private cover until your health card arrives [4].

The dark matters too. Days are short, and plenty of Brits find February the hardest month. Get outside in daylight, try a winter sport, and don't hibernate. Skating at Nathan Phillips Square, a walk on the frozen beaches or a pint and a footie match in a warm pub all help. Our guide to British life in Toronto has ideas, and our community group for Brits in Canada is the place to swap tips on boots, shovels and surviving your first February.

Sources

1. City of Toronto: Winter road operations fact sheet (30 October 2024)
2. City of Toronto: Indoor temperatures in rental units (modified 1 September 2026)
3. City of Toronto (Toronto Public Health): Staying healthy in cold weather
4. GOV.UK (FCDO): Living in Canada (updated 11 December 2025)

Keep reading

• Moving to Toronto as a Brit
• Renting in Toronto
• Driving and getting around Toronto
• The emotional move