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Environment Canada is continuing to alert southern Manitoba to the air quality issues caused by the wildfires in northern Manitoba, which continue to rage.
"This air quality statement is in place for the wildfire smoke that's coming down from the northern and central portions of the prairie provinces towards southern Manitoba," says Eric Dykes, a meteorologist with Environment and Climate Change Canada (EC).
The air quality will sit mostly between 7 and 9 throughout Monday, which is very high.
"This will give reduced visibility and poor air quality conditions for the next few days. It could be as long as until Thursday when we start to see a definitive change in wind direction."
On Thursday, the wind directions are expected to change and come from the south, blowing the smoke back up to northern Manitoba.
"It is a little cooler than normal," says Dykes. "The seasonal for this time of year is about 26 degrees. We'll be a couple degrees cooler than that for the majority of the week."
Monday's high is 22 degrees with rain expected in the late morning and early afternoon. The rain is only expected to hit southern Manitoba, which then will have little effect on dampening the smoke, as it's originating from the north.
"You know your body best so maintain a good awareness of how you're feeling in the smoke. If it's getting too much, head inside. If it's very poor for your body, seek medical attention. Don't spend too much time outside and try not to do too much in the way of strenuous activities, especially when those smoke plumes are over southern Manitoba."
Dykes reminds people that there will be improvements in air quality throughout each day; however, a plume of smoke will most likely move back overtop the region.