The Air Quality Index for Chicago continues to be in the unhealthy range.
Thursday began with a reading of 192. That reading is very modestly lower than Wednesday evening, but still not good.
An Air Quality Alert has been extended for the entire Chicago area through midnight. People with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, keep outdoor activities short. Others should choose less strenuous activities limit active time outdoors.
Full forecast details and more at the WGN Weather Center blog
Smoke is lingering. Visibilities at 8 a.m. were at 2.5 miles at O’Hare and just 2 miles at Midway.
HERE’S MY LATEST THURSDAY CHICAGO METRO FORECAST (6/29/23):
SEVERE T-STORM WATCHES UNTIL 5PM up to Chicago and until 8pm in sections of Northwest Indiana
TONIGHT: A period of showers and gusty, potentially downpour generating t-storms early tonight impacting 50 to 70% of the area. Some stronger storms may include hail and damaging winds in the t-storm watch areas. Then turning partly cloudy, hazy, warm and muggy. Fog patches possible, especially areas away from the city late. Low 72.
FRIDAY: Mixed sun and clouds, hazy, becoming hot and humid—except for cooling lake breezes onto area beaches. Scattered 30 to 40% coverage t-storms in the afternoon. High 91—but closer to 80 shoreline locations.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Cloudy spells, hazy, warm and humid. Scattered t-storms—40% coverage. Low 72.
SATURDAY: More cloudy than not, moderately humid. Clusters or showers and t-storms possible with the most extensive coverage across the southern half of the Chicago area. High 86—but 70s beaches.
SUNDAY: Shower and some thunderstorms, humid but not as warm with haze. High 76—but mid 60s to near 70 lakeshore.
MONDAY: Mostly sunny, warm. Lake breezes. High 86—but mid 70s beaches.
TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY: Partly sunny, turning hot and humid. Several scattered t-storms in the area Tuesday afternoon—but more numerous cold frontal t-storms Wednesday afternoon and night. High Tuesday 91; Wednesday’s high 93.
THURSDAY: Mostly cloudy and cooler. Some showers possible. High 83.
