Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

ILZ005-006-012-013-020-021-103>108-190515-
McHenry-Lake IL-Kane-DuPage-Kendall-Grundy-Northern Cook-
Central Cook-Southern Cook-Northern Will-Southern Will-Eastern Will-
Including the cities of Crystal Lake, Algonquin, McHenry, Woodstock,
Waukegan, Buffalo Grove, Mundelein, Gurnee, Aurora, Elgin,
Naperville, Wheaton, Downers Grove, Lombard, Carol Stream, 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
1213 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

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

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has determined that the
"Air Pollution Action Day" designation will remain in effect for the
greater Chicago Metropolitan Area through midnight CDT tonight.

A Chicago area "Air Pollution Action Day" is declared when weather
conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels
are expected to be at or above the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups
(USG) category of the Air Quality Index (AQI) for multiple days.
Ozone is expected to be the primary pollutant of concern although
smoke/PM2.5 may also become a concern later in the work week.

Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or
respiratory disease such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor
activity.

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

$$

Coastal Hazard Message
National Weather Service Chicago IL
350 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ILZ006-103-104-INZ001-002-181700-
/O.NEW.KLOT.BH.S.0007.260719T0000Z-260719T1500Z/
Lake IL-Northern Cook-Central Cook-Lake IN-Porter-
350 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...BEACH HAZARDS STATEMENT IN EFFECT FROM 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 this evening through early 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.

&&

$$

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Chicago/Romeoville IL
350 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

ILZ003>006-008-010>013-019>021-023-032-033-039-103>108-INZ001-002-
010-011-019-190900-
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-
350 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026 /450 AM EDT Sat Jul 18 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...

  Elevated Thunderstorm Risk...with an associated:
     Level 2 of 5 Damaging Wind Risk...up to 60 mph.
     Level 1 of 5 Large Hail Risk...up to one inch in diameter.
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  Limited Excessive Heat Risk.
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches tonight.

DISCUSSION...

Thunderstorms are expected to develop along a passing cold front
this afternoon, some of which could be strong to severe. The
biggest concerns with thunderstorms will be damaging wind gusts
and localized flooding. Small to marginally severe hail will be
possible as well. The highest thunderstorm coverage and greatest
severe threat are expected near and south of I-80.

High temperatures will reach the upper 80s and lower 90s today
with afternoon heat indices peaking near or just over 100 degrees,
especially near and south of I-80.

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...
  High Swim Risk Lake Michigan Beaches in the morning.
Monday...
  Limited Flooding Risk.
  Elevated 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 likely Saturday and
Monday, some of which could be strong to severe.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

  Spotters may be needed this afternoon.

GENERAL STORM MOTION OF THE DAY:

  Moving toward the south-southeast at 20 to 25 mph.

$$

Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov