Four things you need to know about Wednesday, July 16

Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 7:29 AM - Wondering what you missed overnight or what you can expect for the day ahead? 

Here's your weather briefing for Wednesday, July 16. 

1. Rain, thunderstorm risk continues for Atlantic Canada

Wednesday will be another humid, breezy and unsettled day across Atlantic Canada.

"Early morning thunderstorms are going through New Brunswick currently and then continued rain for the rest of the Maritimes throughout the day," said Weather Network meteorologist Monica Vaswani Wednesday morning. "The heaviest rain is expected in New Brunswick where up to 40 mm of rain is forecast today through tomorrow along the Fundy shores."

It is wet and windy and I'm LIVE from the greatest little city on the East Coast this morning on #TWN #SaintJohn pic.twitter.com/iYyDOh6flT

— Nathan Coleman (@NateTWN) July 16, 2014

Lesser amounts are expected in eastern Nova Scotia.

"There could be embedded thunderstorms within the rain in the Maritimes today as well," Vaswani adds.

Newfoundland will also get the rain although the Avalon is not expected to see significant amounts.

The system will continue to push east with a drying trend expected through the day on Thursday.

"The humid and unsettled weather is expected to ease Thursday into Friday, setting up what appears to be a great weekend ahead," Vaswani adds.

2. More cloud than sun in southern Ontario

"An upper low still remains over Ontario likely bringing more cloud than sun, along with some scattered showers," Vaswani says.

The sunniest part of the day in the GTA should be Wednesday morning, Vaswani adds, before passing showers move through late morning into the afternoon.

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"More persistent rains are falling this morning in northern Ontario where some regions have already seen over 50 mm of rain since Tuesday," says Vaswani.

In addition to the rain, temperatures will remain on the cool side with daytime highs in the upper teens and low 20s expected Wednesday.

"Temperatures are expected to rise into the weekend towards more seasonal conditions," adds Vaswani. "Currently a great Friday and Saturday ahead, however Sunday may have some hiccups in southwestern Ontario with the risk of showers and thunderstorms."

3. Strong storms to fire up in central Alberta, Saskatchewan

A cold front sliding south from the Northwest Territories through the Prairies will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms along with it.

"There is the risk of some strong or severe storms throughout the region especially in central Saskatchewan and Alberta," Vaswani adds. "There are elevated capes given the heat and humidity in these regions so watch for severe weather."

The thunderstorm risk will continue tomorrow with the greatest threat for severe storms closer to the international border.

4. Relief from extreme heat in B.C.

The ridge is slowly breaking down, so temperatures are not expected to be as hot across much of British Columbia.

"The first sign of rain is expected on Friday and this will allow temperatures to moderate as well into the weekend," Vaswani says.

Air quality statements however, remain in place for the Northwest Territories and parts of B.C. as a result of smoke related to wildfires.