UPDATE: Environment Canada has ended a Special Air Quality Statement for London-Middlesex, Chatham-Kent, and Windsor-Essex.
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Along with summer-like weather, our region is likely to experience summer-like air quality.
Environment Canada has issued a Special Air Quality Statement for London-Middlesex, Elgin, Chatham-Kent, and Windsor-Essex.
The weather agency says high levels of pollution have developed over southwestern Ontario.
"Hot and sunny conditions have resulted in increasing ground-level ozone concentrations in the above regions," the statement says.
Fortunately, the conditions are expected to be short-lived. Environment Canada says the high-risk air quality health index values will only last into the mid-afternoon.
In the meantime, the agency suggests anyone experiencing symptoms like coughing or throat irritation should consider reducing or rescheduling strenuous outdoor activities until the special air quality statement is lifted.
"Exposure to air pollution is particularly a health concern for people with heart or breathing problems, those with diabetes, children and the elderly," it says.