#ONStorm#ONwx ⚠️ UPDATE: Thickest Wildfire Smoke Has Now Arrived Across Southern Ontario
Wildfire smoke continues to intensify across Southern Ontario this evening as the thickest part of the smoke plume has arrived. Air quality has steadily deteriorated throughout the day, with hazardous conditions now being reported across a large portion of the region.
The worst conditions are currently across Southwestern Ontario, including Windsor, Chatham, Sarnia and London, as well as parts of Central Ontario, including Barrie and Muskoka. Northeastern Ontario, particularly around Sudbury and North Bay, is also experiencing hazardous air quality.
The poorest air quality is currently just east of Lake Huron. Several monitoring stations around Goderich, Kincardine and Tobermory are reporting AQI values between 500 and over 700, levels that are extremely hazardous and rarely seen in Ontario.
The smoke has also spread into the Golden Horseshoe, where AQI values across much of the Greater Toronto Area are in the unhealthy to very unhealthy range, between 150 and 250. Some of the rain that moved through earlier today temporarily improved air quality by washing some smoke out of the atmosphere, but that relief will be short-lived as even thicker smoke moves in overnight.
Unfortunately, the forecast has also become more concerning for Eastern Ontario. Earlier today it appeared the Ottawa Valley might avoid the thickest smoke, but the latest data now shows the dense smoke plume extending farther east than expected. Air quality there has been gradually worsening this evening, with thicker smoke expected overnight.
The worst air quality is still expected tonight into Thursday morning. While conditions should slowly improve afterward, there are no signs of a rapid clearing. Air quality is expected to remain poor through Thursday, and many areas may not see meaningful improvement until at least Friday.
Even then, this likely won’t be the end of the smoke. Until the Northwestern Ontario wildfires are brought under control, additional waves of smoke remain possible through the weekend and perhaps into next week. We’ll continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as conditions evolve.
If you live in an area with hazardous air quality, avoid unnecessary time outdoors. These smoke levels are unhealthy for everyone. Keep windows and doors closed, run your air conditioner on recirculation if possible, and use an air purifier if you have one.
If you must be outside, wear a well-fitted N95 respirator to help reduce your exposure to the dangerous fine particles in the smoke.
Stay safe everyone. How bad is the smoke in your community?
Canadian soccer player, Stephen Antunes Eustáquio playing soccer as a kid in Leamington, Ontario. Eustáquio just scored to advance Canada further into the World Cup competition. 🇨🇦
“Dear God,
Please watch over all homeless families. Provide them shelter, food, warmth, and safety. Comfort their hearts in times of struggle and give them hope for a better tomorrow. Guide kind people to help and support them. Let them feel Your love and care every moment.
Amen.”
🚨🔥 JUST IN: The Artemis II crew just dropped a hilarious video styled like an old-school 1980s sitcom (FULL HOUSE) while cruising toward the lunar flyby.
an army’s guide for people coming to toronto’s rogers stadium for bts’s arirang tour (inspired by: @yoongicherri)
i will continue to edit/add as more info becomes available! feel free to share and if you have questions i’ll try my best to answer :)