Thunderstorms and wildfire smoke
Toronto is facing severe weather conditions, including a thunderstorm watch and poor air quality caused by wildfire smoke from northwestern Ontario. While air quality has shown slight improvement, residents are being warned of potential tornado activity and hazardous conditions.
Why it matters
This report underscores the increasing frequency of climate-related health and safety risks in urban centers.
The City of Toronto is under a “severe” thunderstorm watch and air quality warning as Environment Canada says smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario continues to linger and blanket the city.
The national weather agency says wildfire smoke will result in very poor air quality through the morning, with only some improvement possible later in the day.
At one point this week, Toronto’s air quality was ranked among the world’s worst, according to IQAir , which prompted outdoor programs and facilities, including pools, to be shuttered.
Today, Toronto is back in the top three, among U.S. cities like New York and Washington D.C.
The effects of the wildfires are expected to continue tonight with localized poor air quality and reduced visibility, according to Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario.
However, they said there could be some relief on Sunday, with “major improvements expected.”
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