Smoke returns to GTA today with unsettled weather expected for Canada Day
Posted June 30, 2023 6:51 am.
Last Updated June 30, 2023 10:46 am.
Toronto is starting Friday with the worst air quality in the world ahead of the long weekend that is expected to see plenty of unsettled weather.
Environment Canada has issued another special air quality statement for most of southern Ontario. The weather agency warns of high levels of air pollution due to smoke from northern wildfires.
“Smoke plumes from forest fires over northeastern Ontario and Quebec has returned to the area resulting in deteriorated air quality once again,” reads the statement.
There are showers and thunderstorms in the forecast for Friday, but CityNews 680 meteorologist Jill Taylor says the wet weather won’t do much in the way of clearing the haze. The smoke is expected to linger for most of the day, and possibly into Saturday.
“This wildfire smoke could become even more widespread as we work through the morning,” says Taylor. “We’ve got some showers moving through this morning, then widespread smoke, and then the possible for more showers and thunderstorms.”
We’ve had some showers move through the GTA this Friday morning but smoke and haze is quickly taking charge. Limit time outdoors today. Showers/storms return for afternoon and evening and at times for the Canada ???????? Day long weekend!
— Jill Taylor (@JillTaylorCity) June 30, 2023
Toronto ranked worst in the world for air quality early Friday morning, according to the World Air Quality Index with a ‘high-risk’ score of 7 on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI). Taylor says the hazy skies will stick around for some areas Saturday, but Sunday and Monday should be much improved.
“For Canada Day, sun and cloud and rather hazy, still some smoke possible,” she says.
More isolated storms are expected on Saturday and it is even possible that evening fireworks displays are impacted by the rain.
It’s also going to be hot and humid with humidex values of 32 on Friday and 35 for Canada Day. It will feel like 34 with the humidex on Sunday and Monday.
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Environment Canada warns that the smoke in the air can have health impacts and is encouraging residents to limit their exposure. Those considered higher-risk include people with lung disease or heart disease, older adults, children, pregnant people, and people who work outdoors.
Toronto previously ranked the worst in the world on Wednesday when another special air quality statement was in effect. The statement was lifted on Thursday when the city saw a brief reprieve from the haze.
Due to wildfire smoke, officials cancelled fireworks in Niagara Falls on Thursday and Friday.
Earlier this month, massive fires burning stretches of Canadian forests blanketed the northeastern U.S. and the Great Lakes region, turning the air yellowish gray and prompting warnings for people to stay inside and keep windows closed.
With files from The Canadian Press
