South Bend, IN – Northern Indiana and southwest Lower Michigan are facing significant weather concerns this weekend, including air quality issues today and potential severe storms early next week.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), an Air Quality Alert is in effect today, Saturday, May 18, due to high concentrations of ozone. The alert, issued in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, affects far southwest Lower Michigan and counties near US 31. Sensitive groups, including children, the elderly, and those with respiratory conditions, are advised to limit outdoor exertion. For the latest air quality updates, visit weather.gov.
Additionally, the NWS has issued a Dense Fog Advisory for parts of southern Lower Michigan, far northeast Indiana, and northwest Ohio until 10 a.m. EDT. Visibility in some areas may drop to a quarter mile, creating hazardous driving conditions.
Looking ahead, severe weather is possible late Tuesday, May 21, through early Wednesday. The primary threat is damaging winds, with low confidence in the timing and coverage of the storms. The NWS cautions that these storms may develop into bowing segments or a quasi-linear convective system (QLCS) late Tuesday.
Residents are encouraged to stay informed through the latest forecasts available on the NWS website and social media channels to ensure they have multiple ways to receive weather warnings.
