All severe weather, air quality watches and warnings end for Ottawa on Canada Day

Mother Nature temporarily shut down Canada Day celebrations across Ottawa, as a line of severe thunderstorms moved through the national capital region.

All weather watches and warnings issued for Ottawa lifted as Canada Day celebrations wrapped up Saturday night, after Mother Nature temporarily shut down the birthday celebrations with heavy rain and thunderstorms earlier in the day.

Canadian Heritage suspended events at LeBreton Flats and on Parliament Hill during the afternoon, while Canada Day festivities in the suburbs were temporarily postponed due to the rain.  Canadian Heritage went ahead with the evening show at LeBreton Flats, including the fireworks.

As of 10:30 p.m., all warnings had ended for the city of Ottawa. Earlier in the day, Ottawa was under a severe thunderstorm watch, a severe thunderstorm warning, a tornado watch and a special air quality statement.

The forecast calls for a cloudy evening in Ottawa with a chance of showers. Low 19 C.

A severe thunderstorm watch remained in effect Saturday night for Brockville, Prescott, Kemptville, Prescott-Russell and the Cornwall-Morrisburg areas.

Environment Canada said conditions are favourable for the development of severe thunderstorms.

A special air quality statement ended for Ottawa Saturday evening, as the smoky air from forest fires in northeastern Ontario and Quebec moved out of the region.