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The cooler forecast also comes as wildfires burn in parts of the province, notably in the region around Kawartha Lakes, which reportedÌýone of blazes its battling grew rapidly from five to 33.5 hectaresÌýTuesday.

É«É«À²’s forecast

É«É«À²nians endured one final stretch of Ìýwith Wednesday’s high of 30 C feeling like 38 C with humidity. A 40 per cent chance of evening showers and risk of thunderstorms were expected to lead to a nighttime low of 19 C.

The high temperatures also saw hours extended at eight city pools with Alex Duff, Fairbank, Heron Park, McGregor Park, Monarch Park, North É«É«À², Smithfield and Sunnyside pushing their closing times to 11:45 p.m.

This week’s forecast

Thursday marks the first post-heat warning, with a daytime high of 28 C, feeling more like 31 with humidity, and a UV index of 8. Expect clear skies and a low of 19 C in the evening.Ìý

On Friday, expect a sunny 30 C with a night time low of 21 C.

However, temperatures are expected to spike again.

“It’s definitely possible we could be back in the warning this weekend. It might even be confined to just sort of the urban area of southern Ontario,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Crawford Luke.

The heat will continue into Saturday, with a sunny daytime high of 32 C. But a 40 per cent chance of showers and a 20 C evening low could deter the risk of a repeated heat event.Ìý

After Saturday, more comfortable temperatures are on the horizon.Ìý

Daytime highs are expected to plummet Sunday, with 23 C forecast along with an evening low of 15 C. A 40 per cent chance of rain will carry into Sunday, as well. Luke said this is the day that will make or break a heat warning in the GTA, as any delay in Sunday’s expected cold front could create conditions considered a heat event.

Next week will start with a mix of sun and cloud and a high of 22 C with a nighttime low of 15 C on Monday.Ìý

So far, Tuesday’s forecast calls for a high of 25 C, continuing the trend of more comfortable weather days in the GTA.Ìý

What about air quality?Ìý

Wildfires across Canada have kept air quality in a state of limbo in the GTA. However, a decrease in humidity across Ontario could bring improvements.

IQAir forecasts É«É«À²’s air quality to hover between “good” and “moderate” levels throughout the week.

Luke said smoke from the Kawartha Lakes fires is unlikely to reach É«É«À², but a change in wind direction could always send more smoke our way from larger fires in Manitoba and northern Ontario.Ìý

“We might notice a bit of haze or smoke tonight, tomorrow, but it should not be anything severe, like we’ve seen at other points this summer,” he said.Ìý

Not only can a decrease in smoke increase air quality, but a break from this summer’s back to back heat events could provide relief to many people who experience heat-related health struggles.

“Take action to protect yourself and others — extreme heat can affect everyone’s health. Determine if you or others around you are at greater risk of heat illness. Check on older adults, those living alone and other at-risk people in-person or on the phone multiple times a day,” Environment Canada’s heat warning stated.