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Environment Canada lifted an air quality warning across the Greater Toronto Area on Sunday, after heavy smoke blanketed the region over the past week.
The “poor” air quality warning was first issued after smoke drifted south from wildfires in northwestern Ontario. But showers, thunderstorms and shifting winds were expected to “help sweep out” the smoke on Saturday and Sunday, meteorologist Rob Kuhn said on Friday.
On Saturday, Environment Canada downgraded its air quality warning from orange to yellow across the GTA and lifted a thunderstorm warning that was expected to produce wind gusts up to 110 km/h and rainfall amounts of up to 40 milimeters.
The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a flood outlook Saturday due to “high rainfall intensities. But as of Sunday morning, it reported regular water levels for rivers, streams and Lake Ontario’s shoreline.
Environment Canada also lifted a brief red-level tornado warning Saturday afternoon that was issued for parts of Halton and Peel regions.
The air quality health index (AQHI) at 7 a.m. Sunday was at low to moderate risk across the GTA, including Toronto, Oakville, Oshawa and Mississauga.
Concentrations of fine particulate matter from the smoke, known as PM 2.5, were at lower levels on Saturday afternoon, after they raised significantly in the morning. These airborne particles are less than 2.5 micrometers in diameter, smaller than a strand of human hair, and can travel deep into your lungs.
As of 7 a.m. Sunday, here was how much PM 2.5 is in the atmosphere for some GTA municipalities:
- Brampton has 29 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³).
- Mississauga at 28 μg/m³.
- Oakville at 42 μg/m³.
- Oshawa at 16 μg/m³.
- Toronto ranged from 31 to 38 μg/m³.
The smoke that’s been hovering over the GTA this week is still not in the rearview mirror, with outdoor facilities closing and events being cancelled. CBC’s Naama Weingarten breaks down what people can expect over the weekend and how to stay safe.
Outdoor pools reopened Saturday in Toronto
Toronto reopened outdoor and wading pools at 2 p.m. Saturday due to improving air quality, the the city said in a news release.
The city added that it may suspend outdoor services again depending on evolving weather and air quality conditions.
Organizers with BIG on Bloor and Beaches Jazz Festival said on social media that events would proceed as planned, despite previous air quality warnings.
Meanwhile, Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Junior Carnival Parade were rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to the weather.
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