Hazard Report Provided By forecast.weather.gov

INZ001-002-010-011-170500-
Lake IN-Porter-Newton-Jasper-
Including the cities of Gary, Hammond, Merrillville, Portage,
Valparaiso, Chesterton, Roselawn, Kentland, Morocco, Rensselaer,
and DeMotte
1202 AM CDT Thu Jul 16 2026

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

The officials at the Indiana Department of Environmental Management
have declared an Air Quality Action Day, IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT
CDT TONIGHT.

An Air Quality Action Day for ozone and PM 2.5 has been issued. Fine
particulate matter (PM 2.5) levels are expected to be in the
Unhealthy range 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.

Here are some recommended actions that the public can take:

 * Carpool or use public transportation.
 * Staying indoors whenever possible.
 * Monitor indoor air quality by keeping air circulating and
   checking on indoor filtration systems.
 * Avoid using the drive-through and combine errands into one trip.
 * Avoid refueling your vehicle or using gasoline-powered lawn
   equipment until after 7pm.
 * Turn off your engine when idling for more than 30 seconds.
 * Conserve energy by turning off lights or setting the air
   conditioner to 75 degrees or above.

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

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

$$

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