Toronto sweats through near-record heat as GO Transit, TTC face major delays

Toronto reached a sweltering 36.2°C on Tuesday afternoon, nearly matching the city's record high for July 14, as transit systems buckled under the strain of extreme heat.

GO Transit modified service across its network after high temperatures forced trains to run slower due to track conditions. Riders faced delays of up to an hour on some lines, while several trains were cancelled entirely. At Union Station, crowds filled platforms waiting for updated departure information. Meanwhile, TTC Line 2 experienced a brief fire-related closure between St. George and Broadview stations around 4 p.m., though service resumed by 4:30 p.m.

The heat peaked as Environment Canada issued a yellow-level warning for poor air quality across Southern Ontario, attributable to smoke from forest fires in northwestern Ontario. The warning was expected to persist through Wednesday. Environment Canada forecasts Wednesday will reach 33°C with humidex values near 41°C before conditions gradually improve from Thursday onward.

Seniors, pregnant people, young children, and those with existing health conditions face higher risk from the heat and degraded air quality. Toronto Public Health reminded residents that heat-related emergencies can escalate rapidly—symptoms of heat stroke include red and hot skin, confusion, dizziness, and changes in consciousness. The city opened more than 500 cooling spaces, including a 24-hour facility at 136 Spadina Road, and kept eight public pools open until 11:45 p.m.

Tuesday's temperature was one degree shy of the July 14 record of 36.7°C set in 1995. It matched the hottest day of 2026 so far, tying Canada Day's high.