Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-103>108-180915-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-
Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-
Including the cities of Rockford, Belvidere, Crystal Lake,
Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock, Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein,
Gurnee, Rochelle, Oregon, Byron, Dixon, DeKalb, Sycamore, Aurora,
Elgin, Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream,
Ottawa, Streator, La Salle, Mendota, Marseilles, Oswego, Yorkville,
Plano, Morris, Coal City, Minooka, Evanston, Des Plaines,
Schaumburg, Palatine, Northbrook, Chicago, Cicero, Oak Lawn,
Oak Park, La Grange, Calumet City, Oak Forest, Lemont, Orland Park,
Park Forest, Joliet, Bolingbrook, Plainfield, Mokena, Channahon,
Manhattan, Wilmington, Crete, Peotone, and Beecher
412 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT TONIGHT...

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Red
Forecast Air Pollution Action Day for today, July 17th, for the
AirNow AQI forecast sectors of Rockford and all 6 Chicago area
forecast sectors.

The Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Days is declared due to a
a forecast of Unhealthy-Red category particulates on Friday July
17th.

Northern IL is on the edge of a thick plume of surface smoke
blanketing the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. Forecasts for 24-hour
AQI will remain in poor categories today even though condition may
eventually improve. With this in mind, those with air quality
concerns or outdoor plans are encouraged to check current NowCast
readings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow.gov to aid in
both identifying periods of poor AQI and periods of improving AQI.

AQI Category Guidance

Unhealthy - Everyone should reduce prolonged activities or heavy
exertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with
pulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid
prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors.

Very Unhealthy - Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity
outdoors. Reschedule to a time when air quality is better or move
activities indoors. Everyone else: Avoid long or intense activities.
Consider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Note: If you
don`t have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed
may be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go
someplace with air conditioning or check with your local government
to find out if cooling centers are available in your community.

Hazardous - Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors.
Sensitive groups:
Remain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping
particle levels low indoors. Note: If you don`t have an air
conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous
in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air
conditioning or check with your local government to find out if
cooling centers are available in your community.

Air quality forecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can
reduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov

Media Contact... Illinois EPA

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
413 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-180915-
Winnebago-Boone-McHenry-Lake IL-Ogle-Lee-De Kalb-Kane-DuPage-
La Salle-Kendall-Grundy-Kankakee-Livingston-Iroquois-Ford-
Northern Cook-Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-
Southern Will-Eastern Will-Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-Benton-
413 AM CDT Fri Jul 17 2026 /513 AM EDT Fri Jul 17 2026/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of north central
Illinois...northeast Illinois and northwest Indiana.

.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  Limited Excessive Heat Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected this afternoon
and early evening. Some thunderstorms may produce heavy rainfall
and localized flooding.

Additionally, the heat index will peak between 95 and 100 degrees
this afternoon.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

Saturday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
  Elevated Excessive Heat Risk.
Saturday Night into Sunday...
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches.
Monday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Additional thunderstorms are possible on Saturday and Monday,
some of which could be strong to severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Moving toward the east at 15 to 20 mph.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov