July 17 weather: Thunderstorm risk across southern Ontario

Friday is expected to bring a break from the heat and wildfire smoke with showers and a risk of thunderstorms in the Greater Toronto Area and southern Ontario.

Environment Canada says the morning will bring a mix of sun and clouds, becoming sunny in Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Hamilton, Oshawa and the Niagara Falls area.

Orange air quality warnings across the province are expected to lift on Friday following days of smoke from wildfires in northwest Ontario that have led to evacuations in some communities. Some areas like Halton Hills and Oakville could still see smoky conditions in the morning.

The daytime high will be around 28 C in Mississauga but could feel more like 30 C due to the humidity. The UV index will be 9 or “very high,” the weather agency says.

Friday evening will start off with clear skies before becoming cloudy with a 60 per cent chance of showers in the GTA. There’s also a risk of thunderstorms overnight. The overnight low will be around 19 C.

Looking ahead to the weekend weather, conditions are expected to be cloudy on Saturday with a 60 per cent chance of showers and a high of 26 C during the day that could feel more like 37 C, and a 30 per cent chance of showers with a low of 15 C. The Weather Network is forecasting a chance of severe thunderstorms throughout the day.

Sunday will bring sunny skies with a high of 24 C and a low of 11 C.

Normal temperatures for this time of year are between 15 C and 26 C, Environment Canada says.