Humid, smoky air and summer-like temperatures in store for Waterloo Region
Posted Jun 11, 2025 07:10:31 AM.
Last Updated Jun 11, 2025 03:20:22 PM.
Wednesday is set to be humid and potentially smoky in Waterloo Region.
According to 570’s Meteorologist Jill Taylor, a high of 28 C could feel more like 32 C with the humidity.
“Very summer-like for us today, but then cooling down for the end of the week and the weekend,” said Taylor. “That too won’t last long. We’ll warm up again in time for Father’s Day on Sunday and for the following week.”
Taylor added that smoke from wildfires in northern Alberta and B.C. could continue to blow over southern Ontario due to wind off the Great Lakes, though most of the smoke will be contained to higher elevations.
The air quality index was sitting at a three for Wednesday morning, with a forecasted max of four on a scale of 10, meaning low to moderate risk to health.
Although that smoke comes from fires thousands of kilometres away, it could still have a significant impact on people’s health, especially on those with pre-existing conditions.
Dr. André Stanberry, an optometrist at the University of Waterloo, explained that when wildfire smoke is blowing through the area in higher concentrations, the particulates in the air can have negative effects on eye health.
“Most people, especially if you’re outdoors for extended periods of time, may experience redness, burning, watery eyes, and sometimes a foreign body sensation, the sense of something being inside of your eye like an eyelash,” said Stanberry.
“If the concentration reaches a level that your eyes can be sensitive to, then it’s going to affect your eyes, regardless of how far the smoke is coming from,” he added.
Taylor expects the temperatures to drop throughout Thursday and Friday, with highs of 22 C and 17 C, respectively. Both days also come a chance of showers.
Father’s Day on Sunday is forecasted to be mostly dry with a high near 24 C.
