Air quality statement in effect, thunderstorms possible this afternoon
As wildfire smoke blankets Ontario and eastern U.S., causing hazardous air quality and hazy skies, smoke in the Forest City is expected to remain until at least Thursday night.
According to CTV News London’s Meteorologist Julie Atchison, a large area of low pressure over the Canadian Maritimes and a blocking ridge over central North America is allowing a steady flow of northerly air to usher in smoke from forest fires in Northern Ontario and Quebec.
Air quality and visibility will vary from county to county, and air quality conditions could change quickly throughout the day Thursday.
London has not received any rain in over more than two weeks, but Atchison said there is the chance of rain Sunday and Monday.
It has been extremely dry and rainfall is desperately needed, Atchison added.
A pattern shift will be underway this weekend, and winds will shift Saturday improving air quality in Ontario.
Environment Canada advises residents that wildfire smoke may cause negative health effects, and people with lung or heart disease, pregnant people, older adults, children and people who work outdoors are advised to take extra caution.
Here’s a look at London’s upcoming forecast
Thursday: Cloudy. 30 percent chance of showers this afternoon. Risk of a thunderstorm late this afternoon. Widespread smoke. High 22 C. UV index 5 or moderate.
Thursday Night: Mainly cloudy. 30 per cent chance of showers this evening. Risk of a thunderstorm early this evening. Widespread smoke. Low 9 C.
Friday: A mix of sun and cloud. High of 20 C.
Saturday: A mix of sun and cloud. High 24 C.
Sunday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 19 C.
Monday: Cloudy with 40 per cent chance of showers. High 20 C.
Tuesday: A mix of sun and cloud. High of 22 C.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

McCarthy becomes the first U.S. speaker ever to be ousted from the job in a House vote
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was voted out of the job Tuesday in an extraordinary showdown, a first in U.S. history that was forced by a contingent of hard-right conservatives and threw the House and its Republican leadership into chaos.
DEVELOPING CN experiencing network-wide system failure; Via, GO and other trains affected
Canadian National Railway Co. is experiencing a network-wide system failure that is affecting Via, GO and other trains in Ontario.
Parks Canada reveals additional details about deadly bear attack in Banff
The couple and dog mauled and killed by a grizzly bear in the backcountry of Banff National Park late last week did everything right, Parks Canada says.
Poilievre defends Truth and Reconciliation Day post, calls criticism 'appalling politicization'
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is defending the caption on photos he posted to social media on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation after Liberal cabinet minister Marc Miller accused him of misidentifying Inuit people as Algonquin.
A bus crash near Italian city of Venice kills at least 21 people, including Ukrainian tourists
A bus carrying foreign tourists including Ukrainians crashed near the Italian city of Venice when it fell from an elevated street Tuesday, killing at least 21 people and injuring 18 others, authorities said.
Liberal Greg Fergus makes history, elected first Black House Speaker
Liberal MP Greg Fergus is Canada's new House of Commons Speaker, following a secret ranked ballot election on Tuesday. It is a day for the political history books as Fergus, once a parliamentary page, becomes the first Black Canadian to hold the prestigious role.
After a four-week campaign, Manitobans to decide on Tories' bid for a third term
Manitobans are to make history today as they cast final ballots in an election that has followed four weeks of promises, debates and controversial advertisements.
MK-ULTRA mind-control experiments: Quebec high court says U.S. has immunity in Canada
The United States government cannot be sued in Canada for its alleged role in infamous brainwashing experiments at a Montreal psychiatric hospital, Quebec's Court of Appeal ruled this week.
New York judge issues limited gag order after Trump sends disparaging post about court clerk
Rebuking Donald Trump, a state court judge imposed a limited gag order Tuesday in the former president's civil business fraud trial and ordered him to delete a social media post that publicly maligned a key court staffer.