Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-103>108-170500-
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
1202 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 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, Thursday July 16th for
the AirNow AQI forecast sectors of Rockford and all 6 Chicago area
forecast sectors.

This Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Day is declared due to a
forecast of Unhealthy-Red category particulates and or ozone on
Thursday July 16th. Northern IL is expected to be on the edge of a
thick plume of surface smoke moving in from the north and cleaner air
to the south. There is some uncertainty in how far south the smoke
progresses and the duration of the poor air quality as this dividing
line may meander in and out of Northern IL through Friday. 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.

Unhealthy - Everyone should reduced 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.

Area residents are urged to reduce pollution levels. 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
333 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-170845-
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-
333 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026 /433 AM EDT Thu Jul 16 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 Excessive Heat Risk.

DISCUSSION...

An isolated thunderstorm is possible this afternoon. Heat indices
near 100 are expected mainly south of I-80.

Smoke may locally reduce visibilities to around 3 miles today,
particularly north and east of I-90.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Friday...
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.
  Limited Excessive Heat Risk.
Saturday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 1 of 5 Severe Thunderstorm Risk.
  Limited Excessive Heat Risk.
Monday...
  Limited Thunderstorm Risk.

DISCUSSION...

Scattered showers and thunderstorms are possible Friday afternoon.
There is an additional chance for thunderstorms Saturday afternoon
and evening. Some storms could produce locally heavy rainfall.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotter activation will not be necessary through tonight.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Variable at less than 10 mph.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov