Tornado Warning Lifted for Halton and Peel Regions

Environment Canada has lifted a red tornado warning that was issued for parts of Halton and Peel regions on Saturday.

Earlier, meteorologists had been monitoring a severe thunderstorm just east of Milton that could potentially spawn a tornado, moving through Oakville and Mississauga, Ont.

Some residents got alerts on their phones, but shortly after, Environment Canada canceled the red warning.

This led the City of Brampton to announce on social media that it was postponing its Canada Celebrates the FIFA World Cup 2026 community activation event.

Earlier on Saturday, Environment Canada downgraded an ongoing air quality warning and issued a severe thunderstorm warning across the Greater Toronto Area due to strong winds, large hail, and heavy rain.

The national weather agency released a yellow-level warning for thunderstorms that might produce wind gusts up to 110 kilometres per hour, hail ranging from quarters to ping pong balls in size, and rainfall amounts reaching up to 40 millimetres.

A cold front moving in from Michigan was bringing “a line of thunderstorms” set to travel southeast across the region. Residents are advised to stay indoors if they hear thunder and be cautious about difficult driving conditions.

Environment Canada downgraded an air quality warning to yellow and issued a yellow thunderstorm warning across the Greater Toronto Area Saturday morning. (Evan Mitsui/CBC)

The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority issued a flood outlook Saturday because of “high rainfall intensities.” It cautioned people to avoid rivers and shorelines that could overflow due to rain.

In a social media post Saturday afternoon, Toronto police warned about flooding in the right lane southbound on Don Valley Parkway at Eastern Avenue; this was reported shortly before 12:30 p. m.

No injuries have been reported yet, but Toronto police advise drivers to slow down and exercise caution when driving through affected areas.

Environment Canada also downgraded its air quality warning from orange to yellow across the GTA after smoke drifted southward from wildfires in northwestern Ontario.

The weather agency indicated that smoke levels were expected to rise again at night.

Meteorologist Rob Kuhn mentioned Friday that showers and thunderstorms should “help sweep out” some of the smoke temporarily on Saturday.

The air quality health index (AQHI) at 10 a. m. Saturday registered at 8 for “high risk” across Toronto while it measured between 5 or 6 for “moderate risk” in Brampton, Oakville, Mississauga, and Oshawa.

The concentrations of fine particulate matter from smoke-known as PM 2.5-were high on Saturday morning after dropping significantly on Friday. These tiny particles are less than 2.5 micrometres wide-smaller than human hair-and can penetrate deeply into your lungs.

As of 10 a. m. Saturday, here is how much PM 2.5 is present in various GT municipalities:Brampton has 43 micrograms per cubic metre (μg/m³). Mississauga at 47 μg/m³. Oakville at 51 μg/m³. Oshawa at 60 μg/m³. Toronto ranged from 72 to 80 μg/m³. WATCH | Here’s what to expect with smoke this weekend:Toronto’s air quality expected to worsen. Here’s what you need to knowThe persistent smoke over the GTA continues affecting outdoor facilities leading closures and event cancellations. CBC’s Naama Weingarten explains what people can anticipate over the weekend along with safety tips.

Pools Reopen; FIFA Fan Festival Delayed: City Updates

Toronto is reopening outdoor pools at 2 p. m., along with wading pools due to improving air quality as stated by city officials in a news release.

The FIFA Fan Festival will also see its start delayed until around 3:30 p. m., according to city announcements regarding severe weather concerns.

The city noted it might halt outdoor services again depending on changing weather conditions or air quality updates.

Event organizers for BIG on Bloor and Beaches Jazz Festival announced via social media that their events would continue as planned despite existing air quality warnings.

“Forecasts indicate that conditions are expected to improve as Saturday progresses,” said the team behind BIG on Bloor while continuing their monitoring efforts.

Meanwhile, due inclement weather forecasts caused by ongoing conditions; organizers rescheduled Toronto Caribbean Carnival Junior Carnival Parade from Saturday onto Sunday instead.

“The decision has been made with safety first for thousands of young participants alongside their families,” stated event coordinators in their release regarding this change.”</pdA closeup view shows CN Tower before (left) wildfire smoke impacted downtown Toronto (right). (Patrick Morrell/CBC)

Toronto has six designated “cleaner air spaces” available located at city hall as well as Metro Hall; North York Civic Centre; Scarborough Civic Centre; York Civic Centre; East York Civic Centre ready for residents needing respite during poor air days.</pv

Accordingly environment agencies advise residents may experience symptoms like headaches along with eye irritation or throat issues such wheezing/coughing/chest pains among others.</pd

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