November usually brings cold winds and falling temperatures across Canada, but parts of Ontario and Quebec are defying the calendar. Unseasonably warm, summer-like weather this week sent temperatures soaring past 20 C, tempting residents in cities like Montreal and Toronto to trade their winter coats for shorts and beach trips.
On Wednesday, Montreal reached 22 C—feeling closer to 24 C—prompting visitors to head out to Verdun Beach. Meanwhile, Toronto recorded highs near 21 C, where residents were spotted relaxing in hammocks, walking dogs in shorts, and enjoying sunny parks alongside changing autumn foliage. Similar mild conditions extended into western Quebec and Ottawa, where people gathered outdoors on Parliament Hill.
According to the Weather Network, the unseasonal warmth is driven by a combination of weather systems: a strong high-pressure ridge off the U.s. East Coast working together with a warm front from a Colorado low. Experts note that a powerful El Niño event is also contributing. Environment and Climate Change Canada research scientist Bill Merryfield explained that Pacific Ocean temperatures have warmed significantly, typically leading to unusually mild fall and winter conditions across the country.
