Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

INZ001-002-010-011-190515-
Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-
Including the cities of Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage,
Valparaiso, Chesterton, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer,
and DeMotte
1213 AM CDT Sat Jul 18 2026

...AIR QUALITY ALERT IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CDT MONDAY NIGHT...

The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, in effect until midnight
CDT Monday night.

An Air Quality Action Day for ozone and PM 2.5 has been issued. A
combination of fine particulate and ozone levels are expected to be
in the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups range. Active children and
adults, and people with respiratory disease, such as asthma should
limit prolonged outdoor exposure.

Due to observed and forecasted high concentrations of PM2.5 readings
in the area, recommendations are for the public to avoid or limit
outdoor exposure to wildfire smoke, reduce or avoid exertion or heavy
work outdoors and keep windows and doors closed as much as possible.

 For additional information, please visit the IDEM Smog page at:

 http://www.in.gov/idem/airmonitoring/smogwatch/

$$

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