Smoke, thunderstorm and fog warnings issued across northwestern Ontario
Environment Canada has issued several weather warnings across northwestern Ontario Tuesday, with smoke, hail and fog all expected to be more disruptive than usual.
Air quality warnings first issued Monday remain in effect for some parts of northwestern Ontario on Tuesday as smoke from wildfires in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories drifts into the region.
The warnings remain in place for:
Red Lake
Ear Falls
Pikangikum
Sandy Lake
Sioux Lookout
Dryden
Ignace
A smoky, hazy view of Thunder Bay is shown in this file photo. Environment Canada said Monday smoke from fires in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Northwest Territories is drifting into the region Monday. Some areas are under air quality warnings, while others will see local smoke or haze. (Marc Doucette/CBC)
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An air quality warning was also in place for Kenora on Monday, but that has since been lifted.
Geoff Coulson, warning preparedness meteorologist with Environment Canada, said conditions are expected to improve through the early part of the week.
"As we go through the rest of the week, it looks like again the the worst of the concentrations of of the smoke toward the surface is going to remain in far northwestern Ontario," he said. "There may still be some smoke generally in the atmosphere in and around parts of northwestern Ontario in the coming days."
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Air quality statements are issued when concentrations of wildfire smoke at ground level reach a certain threshold, Coulson said.
"There is no doubt though, that given the prevailing winds and the fact that there is still a large number of fires burning out of control in Manitoba, northern Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories, northern Alberta, smoke in the atmosphere is likely to still be around in generally in northwestern Ontario, but concentrations at the surface not expected to be significant," he said.
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Environment Canada said wildfire smoke can be harmful to everyone's health, even at low concentrations, but people with lung or heart disease, older adults, children, and those who are pregnant or work outdoors are at higher risk of health effects caused by wildfire smoke.
People are advised to stop or reduce their activity level if breathing becomes uncomfortable, and wear a well-fitted respirator-type mask if working outdoors.
There are approximately 43 fires burning in northwestern Ontario. Six are considered not-under-control, five are being held, six are under control and 26 are being observed, according to the latest update from Ontario's fire information service.
Meanwhile, some parts of the region could see severe thunderstorms on Tuesday. Environment Canada has issued severe thunderstorm warnings for the Red Lake and Kenora areas, which could produce 90 km/h wind gusts and nickel-sized hail.
"Heavy downpours can cause flash floods and water pooling on roads," the warning states. "Large hail can damage property and cause injury. Strong wind gusts can toss loose objects, damage weak buildings, break branches off trees and overturn large vehicles."
Sioux Lookout and Rainy River are under severe thunderstorm warnings as of Tuesday morning.
Finally, fog advisories are in place for the Thunder Bay and Nipigon areas, where near-zero visibility due to fog is expected.
Condutions are expected to improve later Tuesday morning.
This article was originally published for CBC News.