The air is expected to be less smoky by Tuesday. Visibility will improve and businesses and events that are closed and cancelled could be back.
Environment Canada meteorologist Peter Kimbell says it’s not rain that clears the air. It’s the direction of the wind.
While a wind from the east has been bringing smoke into Ontario, it’s predicted to change to a north wind.
“A couple weeks ago, when we had the reports of the smoke in New York City and much of the Northeastern United States, it was because there was a north wind blowing it all the way down,” he says.
It could still be smoky in the Ottawa area, but clearer the further north you go.