Wildfire smoke leads to abysmal air quality, health risks in Eastern Canada
Folks should exercise caution and limit time outdoors this weekend. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.
Widespread special air quality statements are in effect for a large portion of Ontario and parts of Quebec this weekend as thick plumes of wildfire smoke push into the region from the Prairies.
Smoke and air quality issues will continue east into Quebec and portions of the Maritimes on Sunday. The wildfire smoke may persist into Monday for parts of southern Ontario.
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Folks with chronic respiratory conditions could experience irritation as a result of reduced air quality across the region. Thick smoke in the upper atmosphere could also contribute to vibrant sunrises and sunsets across the region.
Smoky Sunday skies reduce air quality in Eastern Canada
Westerly winds blowing over extensive fires burning throughout northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba are the driving force behind plumes of smoke wafting over Eastern Canada this weekend.
Special air quality statements remain in effect for southern Ontario and for Quebec into Sunday, as the smoke occasionally reaches the surface across the region. Air quality warnings are in place in northern sections of Ontario.
“Air quality and visibility due to wildfire smoke can fluctuate over short distances and can vary considerably from hour to hour,” Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) said in its statement.
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The agency added: “As smoke levels increase, health risks increase. Limit time outdoors. Consider reducing or rescheduling outdoor sports, activities and events.”
We’ll see degraded air quality due to surface smoke in Quebec and portions of New Brunswick on Sunday. The rest of Atlantic Canada will see thick, upper-level smoke move over the region.
Southern Ontario won’t be able to shake the smoke heading into the new work week. A centre of high pressure to the north will force the smoke to double back into the region, leading to continued hazy skies and reduced air quality into this week.
Stay with The Weather Network for all the latest on conditions across Eastern Canada.