Wildfire smoke keeps air quality poor, showers may bring relief this weekend

Poor air quality due to wildfires has Ontarians looking for options to keep themselves safe, and a Tecumseh hardware store says they're showing up in droves.

Smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario continue to cause very poor air quality and reduced visibility.

There is still an orange air quality warning in effect with poor air quality that may persist into the weekend, but there is the possibility of showers and thunderstorms arriving Saturday.

Friday brings a high of 29 C and a humidex of 34. Air quality concerns are expected to persist overnight as smoky conditions continue, with a low of 22 C.

The heat and humidity are set to intensify Saturday. The forecast calls for mainly cloudy skies and a 60 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon, along with a risk of thunderstorms. Local smoke is expected during the morning and early afternoon hours before conditions begin to improve.

Relief from the unsettled weather is expected Sunday, when sunny skies return and temperatures moderate slightly, with a forecast high of 26 C.

Here’s a look at the full forecast

Friday: Widespread smoke. High 29. Humidex 34. UV index 10 or very high.

Friday Night: Widespread smoke. Low 22.

Saturday: Mainly cloudy. 60 per cent chance of showers in the afternoon with risk of a thunderstorm. Local smoke in the morning and early in the afternoon. Wind becoming southwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 in the morning then becoming northwest 20 gusting to 40 in the afternoon. High 30 with temperature falling to 26 in the afternoon. Humidex 40. UV index 8 or very high.

Sunday: Sunny. High 26.

Monday: Sunny. High 28.

Tuesday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 27.