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

Witness to the 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur indicted on murder charge in rapper's death
Las Vegas police have arrested a man in the deadly 1996 drive-by shooting of Tupac Shakur, a long-awaited break in a case that has frustrated investigators and fascinated the public ever since the hip-hop icon was gunned down on the Las Vegas Strip 27 years ago.
Tragedy in real time: The Armenian exodus from Nagorno-Karabakh
For the past five days, vehicles laden with refugees have poured into Armenia, fleeing from the crumbling enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh in neighbouring Azerbaijan. In a special report for CTVNews.ca, journalist Neil Hauer recounts what it's like on the ground in Armenia.
Man deliberately drives into a home and crashes into a police station in New Jersey, police say
A New Jersey man deliberately drove his SUV into a home and the offices of a municipal police department last week, authorities announced Friday.
Walking just this much more per day can lower your blood pressure: study
A new study finds walking an additional 3,000 steps per day can significantly reduce high blood pressure in older adults with hypertension.
Missouri high school teacher is put on leave after school officials discover her page on porn site
A Missouri high school teacher says she has been placed on leave after officials discovered that she was performing on a pornography website to supplement her salary.
NBA suspends Canada’s Joshua Primo for 4 games for exposing himself to women
The NBA suspended former San Antonio Spurs guard Joshua Primo on Friday for four games without pay for conduct detrimental to the league.
WATCH Canada likely in 'rounding error recession,' more trouble looming: economist
Statistics Canada has released new data about how the economy started off the third quarter, saying the country's GDP remains essentially unchanged. One economist says it highlights an ongoing trend of weak performance.
OPINION Don Martin: Poilievre picking wrong fights as Liberals struggle under low morale, support
As morale with Justin Trudeau's Liberals goes down the drain with the party's re-election hopes, all Pierre Poilievre needs to do to win is make sure the drain doesn’t get plugged up with doubts about his leadership, writes Don Martin in an exclusive opinion column for CTVNews.ca.
New York City area under state of emergency after storms flood subways, strand people in cars
A potent rush-hour rainstorm swamped the New York metropolitan area on Friday, shutting down parts of the city's subway system, flooding streets and highways, and delaying flights into LaGuardia Airport.