Although air quality is expected to improve throughout the day, localized smoke is likely to persist. Environment Canada has issued an orange watch for a severe thunderstorm for the London, Ont. area Conditions are favourable for the development of dangerous thunderstorms that may be capable of producing damaging wind gusts, large hail and heavy rain. “[There’s a] chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms as we head into the afternoon in advance of a cold front,” predicted CTV London Meterologist Julie Atchison. “That cold front will bring rain earlier in the day through midwestern Ontario.” Some much needed rainfall has already passed through northern Ontario. Temperatures are expected to head to the high twenties by Saturday afternoon, with a cold front expected to roll through bringing potential for storms. “We need rain desperately, so hopefully most areas will squeeze out a little bit of moisture,” said Atchison. Heading into Sunday, “the winds once again will be shifting back to the northwest, so we’ll have to keep an eye on the air quality again as we head into Sunday,” she cautioned. Here’s your London area forecast Saturday: Cloudy. 30 per cent chance of showers changing to 70 per cent chance of showers or thunderstorms near noon. Risk of a thunderstorm in the morning. Local smoke in the morning. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning then becoming northwest 20 gusting to 40 in the afternoon. High 27. Humidex 36. UV index 6 or high. Sunday: Mainly cloudy with 30 per cent chance of showers in the evening. Clearing overnight. Local smoke. Wind north 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light overnight. Low 15. Sunday: Sunny. High 25. Monday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 26. Tuesday: Cloudy with 60 per cent chance of showers. High 24.
