Southern Ontario's weather forecast calls for soaring temps but it comes with a warning

Southern Ontario's weather is in the middle of a messy mashup on Wednesday — while temperatures are set to reach the low 30s, it comes with a warning.

According to The Weather Network's forecast, a cold front sweeping across the region is set to collide with wildfire smoke drifting in from Western Canada, creating a hazy, unstable atmosphere that could spark thunderstorms by the evening.

If you're anywhere from Windsor to Kingston, it's a good idea to stay weather-aware because the skies could get dramatic fast.

The biggest threats for the region include strong wind gusts — possibly reaching 100 km/h — and quarter-sized hail in isolated areas. While the smoke may take some of the edge off storm intensity in places, it's not enough to rule them out entirely.

Storm timing remains uncertain, but evening hours are the most likely window. Areas along the Highway 401 corridor could see showers and thunder roll in just as the sun sets.

Meanwhile, the smoke is expected to linger into Thursday, meaning hazy skies and reduced visibility could stick around.

With air quality deteriorating in some areas, residents are being urged to limit outdoor activity, especially if they have respiratory sensitivities.

In Toronto, the day starts sunny and hazy, with wildfire smoke already obscuring the sky slightly. Environment Canada expects temps to soar to 30 C, feeling more like 35 C with the humidity. Winds will pick up from the southwest by late morning, gusting up to 40 km/h.

By tonight, though, it's a whole different story — there's a 70% chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms. Winds will shift north overnight as the cold front moves in, and the low will drop to 17 C.

Ottawa is set highs of 28 C on Wednesday, but there's a 70% chance of showers late this evening and overnight. There is also a risk of thunderstorms.

Windsor may see highs of 30 C, with a 40% chance of showers late this afternoon, a 70% risk of showers and thunderstorms on Wednesday night.

So, Southern Ontario's forecast for Wednesday is a choose-your-own-weather adventure: scorching heat, smoky skies, and the potential for a full-on storm show by sundown.

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