Chicago, IL – Hot and humid weather will continue across northern Illinois through the end of the workweek, with heat index values approaching 100 degrees and an Air Quality Alert remaining in effect for parts of the Chicago area.
According to the National Weather Service in Chicago, afternoon highs will climb into the lower to upper 90s through Thursday, with humidity pushing peak heat index values between 100 and 105 degrees on Wednesday and 95 to 100 degrees Thursday and Friday. Communities along the Lake Michigan shoreline are expected to remain somewhat cooler.
Forecasters expect highs of 93 to 98 degrees Wednesday, 92 to 96 degrees Thursday, 89 to 92 degrees Friday, and 88 to 92 degrees Saturday. Scattered thunderstorm chances return beginning Thursday afternoon and continue into the weekend, though widespread rainfall is not expected.
In addition to the heat, the National Weather Service and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency said an Air Quality Alert has been extended through Wednesday evening for portions of northeast Illinois. A separate Air Quality Action Day also remains in effect for northwest Indiana, declared by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management.
The alert is due primarily to elevated ozone levels, which are expected to create poor air quality, especially for sensitive groups including children, older adults, and people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. Officials recommend making outdoor activities shorter and less strenuous and watching for symptoms such as coughing or shortness of breath.
Residents are also encouraged to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest part of the afternoon, and never leave children or pets unattended in parked vehicles.
Forecasters advise monitoring updated forecasts as heat, air quality, and thunderstorm conditions evolve later this week.
