Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-200500-
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-
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, Kankakee, Bourbonnais, Bradley,
Pontiac, Dwight, Fairbury, Watseka, Gilman, Paxton, Gibson City,
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
1231 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT NOW THROUGH SUNDAY NIGHT...

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued an Areawide
Air Pollution Action Day for Sunday July 19th for portions of
Illinois. This is in addition to the ongoing Chicago Area Air
Pollution Action Day in effect today.

An Areawide Air Pollution Action Day is declared when weather
conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels
are forecast to be at OR ABOVE the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
(USG) category in all or nearly all Illinois AQI forecast sectors.

Areas both inside and outside of the Action Day coverage area may
experience smoke/PM2.5 to a varying degree and duration both later
today and Sunday. Those with air quality concerns or anyone in
Illinois with outdoor plans is encouraged to check current NowCast
readings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow. gov. Before
going outside, checking the NowCast AQI will help identify periods of
both poor and cleaner air quality regardless of the level of the
daily forecasted AQI.

AQI Category Guidance Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (USG) - Members
of sensitive groups may experience health effects. The general
public is less likely to be affected. Sensitive groups: Make outdoor
activities shorter and less intense. Its OK to be active outdoors,
but take more breaks. Watch for symptoms such as coughing or
shortness of breath. People with asthma: Follow your asthma action
plan and keep quick relief medicine handy. People with heart disease:
Symptoms such as palpitations, shortness of breath, or unusual
fatigue may indicate a serious problem. If you have any of these,
contact your health care provider. Unhealthy - Sensitive groups:
Avoid long or intense outdoor activities. Consider rescheduling or
moving activities indoors. Everyone else: Reduce long or intense
activities. Take more breaks during outdoor activities.


Media Contact...Illinois EPA

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
316 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-192030-
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-
316 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026 /416 PM EDT Sat Jul 18 2026/

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

Weather hazards expected...

  Elevated Thunderstorm Risk this evening...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 60 mph.
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches tonight.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms will move across portions of north-central Illinois
and northwest Indiana through mid-evening, some of which could be
strong to severe. The main threat with stronger storms will be
locally damaging winds and heavy downpours.

Additionally, gusty northerly winds in the wake of the cold front
will bring hazardous swimming conditions to southern Lake
Michigan beaches tonight into Sunday morning.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

Sunday Morning...
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches.
Monday...
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
Tuesday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches.
Wednesday...
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches.

DISCUSSION...

Additional rounds of thunderstorms are possible on Monday some of
which could be strong to severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotters may be needed through mid-evening.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Moving toward the southeast at 25 mph.

$$

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Chicago IL
304 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ILZ006-103-104-INZ001-002-190415-
/O.CON.KLOT.BH.S.0007.260719T0000Z-260719T1500Z/
Lake IL-Northern Cook-Central Cook-Lake IN-Porter-
304 PM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...High wave action and dangerous currents expected at Lake
  Michigan beaches. Waves 4 to 7 ft expected.

* WHERE...In Illinois, Lake, Northern Cook and Central Cook
  Counties. In Indiana, Lake and Porter Counties.

* WHEN...From 7 PM CDT this evening through Sunday morning.

* IMPACTS...Swimming conditions will be life threatening,
  especially for inexperienced swimmers. For information on swim
  advisories or bans at Chicago beaches: www. cpdbeaches. com.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions
and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other
shoreline structures.

&&

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov