Expired News - Pollution spike and air quality issues in Ontario, Quebec - The Weather Network
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While the warmer weather is being welcomed by many residents, it's brought along something most of us could live without.

Pollution spike and air quality issues in Ontario, Quebec


Cheryl Santa Maria
Digital Reporter

Wednesday, May 25, 2016, 10:18 AM - After weeks of chillier-than-usual temperatures, warm weather has flooded into Ontario and Quebec with above-seasonal weather expected to extend into the next few days.

While the warmer weather is being welcomed by many residents, it's brought along something most of us could live without: Air quality statements.

Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment issued a statement on Tuesday with the Grey-Bruce, Huron-Perth, Sarnia-Lambton and Windsor-Essex-Chatham-Kent regions impacted. The statement was extended into Wednesday. 

"A special air quality statement is in place due to high levels of air pollution," said the Air Quality Ontario website.


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"Individuals may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung disease, such as asthma, are especially at risk. If you, or someone in your care, develop symptoms, reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities where ever possible until the air quality improves."

Smog warning in Quebec

In Quebec, a smog warning was issued for several places early Wednesday including for the city of Montreal.

"High concentrations of ozone are expected and will result in poor air quality," the statement reads. "High levels of pollutants are expected to persist into this evening."

It is recommended that those who suffer from asthma or respiratory ailments to avoid any intense physical activity outdoors until the warning is lifted.

"We can all help improve air quality by doing simple things, such as using public transit, reducing our driving speed and not letting our car engines idle unnecessarily," the statement says.

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What's causing the high levels of pollution?

In order for there to be good air quality, temperatures need to cool as they rise. That creates a good environment for pollution to disperse.

Currently, a temperature contour over Ontario is capping a warm air mass at the ground, so the air can't rise.

"A ridge of high pressure has moved over the region, and that's why the air is sinking," explains Weather Network meteorologist and science writer Scott Sutherland.

What that means is there's potential for the pollution generated by the impacted regions -- along with pollution that's blown in from the U.S. by southerly winds -- to hang around longer than usual, because it doesn't have anywhere to go.

"We're close to breaking the cap, but temperatures would need to rise to the 30-degree range," Sutherland says.

"Unfortunately, most places will see daily highs hover just below that mark."


A look ahead

According to Weather Network meteorologist Dr. Doug Gillham, above-seasonal temperatures are expected to continue for the rest of May and into early June.

"Some places have a shot at their first 30°C this week," he adds.

By Thursday, the increasing heat and humidity could elevate the risk of thundershowers in some places. Parts of the province are desperate for rain, particularly northern Ontario, which is battling forest fires at the moment.

It's still not clear if the upcoming rain will be widespread enough to relieve dry conditions in parts of the province.


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