Tornado alerts, thunderstorm watches lifted in Southern Ontario

The Toronto skyline. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

The City of Toronto is no longer under a “severe” thunderstorm watch or air quality warning after Environment Canada warned smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario would linger across the city.

The national weather agency said wildfire smoke will result in very poor air quality through the morning, with only some improvement possible later in the day.

• Your hourly forecast on our CP24.com weather hub
• Wildfires in Canada coverage on CTVNews.ca

At one point this week, Toronto’s air quality was ranked among the world’s worst, according to IQAir, which prompted outdoor programs and facilities, including pools, to be shuttered.

Today, Toronto was back in the top three, among U.S. cities like New York and Washington D.C.

Key details:

• An air quality warning, yellow alert, no longer in effect
• Severe thunderstorm, no longer in effect

Our live coverage has ended. Here’s a recap of today’s events:

4:39 p.m. - Effects of wildfire to continue tonight, improvement expected for Sunday

The effects of the wildfires are expected to continue tonight with localized poor air quality and reduced visibility, according to Environment Canada and the Province of Ontario.

However, they said there could be some relief on Sunday, with “major improvements expected.”

1:30 p.m. - Toronto’s air quality improving

There are signs that air quality is beginning to improve across Toronto this afternoon.

As of 1:25 p.m., Toronto has dropped out of the top 10 cities with the worst air quality in the world, sitting at No. 11 on IQAir’s live rankings.

Conditions have also improved on the Air Quality Index, with the city moving from the red “Unhealthy” category into the orange “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category.

1:20 p.m. - Tornado warning in effect: western Lake Ontario

Environment Canada says it’s tracking a weather system “possibly” producing a tornado in the western region of Lake Ontario.

“At 12:58 p.m. EDT, Environment Canada meteorologists are tracking a severe thunderstorm that is possibly producing a tornado. Damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall are also possible.

“A thunderstorm over western Lake Ontario may be producing a tornado. This storm is moving towards the southeast at roughly 25 knots.

“This is a very dangerous and potentially life-threatening situation. Tornado warnings are issued when a thunderstorm is producing or is likely to produce a tornado,” reads a statement.

1 p.m. - Flooding on southbound DVP

Drivers are being urged to use caution after flooding was reported on the southbound Don Valley Parkway near Eastern Avenue.

Toronto police say the hazard was reported shortly after 12:15 p.m. in the right lane of the southbound DVP approaching Eastern Avenue.

No injuries have been reported but drivers are being advised to slow down and use caution while travelling through the area.

12:49 p.m. - Tornado alerts lifted

Environment Canada has lifted all tornado warnings that were briefly in place in several Southern Ontario communities Saturday afternoon.

• See the latest advisories in effect here

12:38 p.m. - ‘Take cover’: Southern Ontario residents under tornado warning

Residents in several Southern Ontario areas are under a tornado warning Saturday afternoon, as Environment Canada warns some to “take cover immediately in a basement, interior room, or a sturdy shelter when threatening weather approaches.”

Red warnings are in place in Burlington - Oakville, Halton Hills - Milton, Mississauga - Brampton, while several other communities are under severe thunderstorm advisories.

11 a.m. - Toronto slides into #2 spot

According to IQAir, Toronto has now slid into second place for the worst air quality in the world, behind only New York City.

The smoky conditions have persisted across the GTA as Environment Canada continues to warn of “poor air quality and reduced visibility due to wildfires.”

10:10 a.m. - Air quality warning now yellow alert

Environment Canada has updated their air quality warning, officially downgrading their alert from Orange to Yellow.

The main difference between an Orange Alert and a Yellow Alert lies in the intensity and duration of the weather event.

9:30 a.m. - Severe thunderstorm watch

Toronto and much of the GTHA is under a severe thunderstorm watch as Environment Canada warns “strong wind gusts” and “heavy rain” is on the way.

The weather agency says thunderstorms are expected to develop beginning around noon and continue through the afternoon as a cold front moves southeast from Michigan.

Officials warn the strongest storms could produce wind gusts of up to 110 km/h, hail ranging from the size of quarters to “ping pong balls” and between 25 and 40 millimetres of rain.

9:15 a.m. - Toronto ranked #1 for world’s worst air

Toronto is back in the top spot for having the world’s worst air leading ahead of New York and Washington D.C.

According to IQAir, the city is ranked in the red “Unhealthy” category, though at one point this week, Toronto was placed in the utmost “Hazardous” category.

9 a.m. - What’s cancelled?

Toronto’s Caribbean Junior Carnival Parade which was set to take place today, has been rescheduled to Sunday, July 19, 2026.

Organizers say the decision was made to due to “inclement weather.”

“The decision has been made with the safety and comfort of the thousands of young participants, their families, volunteers, spectators and event staff as the highest priority,” officials wrote in a statement.

“All event programming will proceed as planned on Sunday, with no changes to the parade route and schedule with only minor changes to some activities to accommodate the date adjustment.”

8 a.m. - Who is at risk?

Officials warn that “everyone’s health is at risk” during periods of heavy smoke, regardless of age or existing health conditions, and are urging residents to limit the amount of time they spend outdoors.

People most vulnerable include seniors, pregnant people, young children, those with chronic illnesses and people who work outdoors. Environment Canada is asking those individuals to avoid outdoor activity and seek medical attention if symptoms develop.

In addition, officials also say some people may experience eye, nose and throat irritation, headaches or a mild cough, while more serious symptoms can include wheezing, chest pain or a severe cough.

The weather agency is advising sports organizations and outdoor event organizers to consider local air quality conditions when planning activities.