Air quality warning downgraded to yellow, thunderstorm warning issued across GTA

surroundings Canada downgraded an on-going send lineament warning and issued a terrible thunderstorm warning across the Greater Toronto Area for strong winds, large hail and heavy rain on Saturday.

The national weather agency issued the yellow-level warning for thunderstorms that could produce wind gusts up to 110 km/h, hail the size of quarters to ping pong balls and rainfall amounts up to 40 millimetres.

It said a cold front over Michigan was bringing in "a line of thunderstorms" that would travel southeast across the region. Residents are urged to stay indoors if they hear thunder and to be aware of difficult driving conditions.

Environment Canada also issued a red tornado warning for parts of Halton and Peel regions on Saturday, as meteorologists tracked a severe thunderstorm just east of Milton, Ont. Some residents received alerts on their phone but shortly thereafter, Environment Canada ended the red warning.

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a flood outlook Saturday due to "high rainfall intensities." It warned people to steer clear of rivers and shorelines that may overflow with the rain.

In a post to social media Saturday afternoon, Toronto police said there was a hazard southbound on the Don Valley Parkway at Eastern Avenue. Flooding in the right lane was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m.

No injuries have been reported but Toronto police is advising drivers to slow down and use caution while driving through the area.

Environment Canada also downgraded it's air quality warning from orange to yellow across the GTA. The "poor" air quality warning was issued after smoke drifted south from wildfires in northwestern Ontario.

The weather agency said smoke levels were expected to increase at night.

Showers and thunderstorms are expected to "help sweep out" the smoke temporarily on Saturday, meteorologist Rob Kuhn said on Friday.

The air quality health index (AQHI) at 1 p.m. Saturday was at 3 for "low risk" or 4 for "moderate risk" across Toronto and was at 3 in Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga and Oshawa.

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 micrometres in diameter, smaller than a strand of human hair, and can travel deep into your lungs.

As of 2 p.m. Saturday, here is how much PM 2.5 is in the atmosphere for some GTA municipalities:

Toronto's air quality expected to worsen. Here's what you need to know

Toronto reopened outdoor and wading pools at 2 p.m. Saturday due to improving air quality, the the city said in a news release.

FIFA Fan Festival is also expected to have a delayed start at 3:30 p.m. Due to severe weather, it said.

The city added that it may suspend outdoor services again depending on evolving weather and air quality conditions.

Toronto the orange: Wildfire smoke leaves city under dirty sky with no relief likely until Friday

'Very poor air quality' in store for GTA Friday night, possibly Saturday as wildfire smoke returns

Organizers with BIG on Bloor and Beaches Jazz Festival said on social media that events would proceed as planned, despite the air quality warnings.

"Forecasts indicate that conditions are expected to improve as Saturday progresses, and our team will continue monitoring updates," said the team behind BIG on Bloor.

Meanwhile, Toronto Caribbean Carnival and the Junior Carnival Parade were rescheduled from Saturday to Sunday due to inclement weather forecasts.

"The decision has been made with the safety and comfort of the thousands of young participants, their families, volunteers, spectators and event staff as the highest priority," said event organizers in a news release.

Toronto has six "cleaner air spaces" open at city hall, Metro Hall, North York Civic Centre, Scarborough Civic Centre, York Civic Centre and East York Civic Centre.

Environment Canada says residents may experience symptoms including headaches, eye and throat irritation, wheezing or chest pains.

Seniors, pregnant people, young children, people who work outdoors and those with existing health conditions are more likely to be impacted by the wildfire smoke. They're advised to avoid going outdoors and to seek medical attention if experiencing symptoms.

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