Air Quality Alerts expand across northern Illinois as wildfire smoke sinks south

 

Air Quality Alerts have been extended across most of northern Illinois, as well as southern Wisconsin, through Thursday afternoon/evening as Canadian wildfire smoke sinks south into the Stateline late Wednesday night.

Thick smoke from the ongoing wildfires across the border have blanketed most of the northern Great Lakes and Northeast over the last few days. So much so, that visibility has fallen to just a couple miles in
many locations. This has also caused very unhealthy air quality for those from northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and the Northeast.

Through Wednesday evening the wildfire smoke will continue to sink south across Wisconsin before stalling close to the state line and northern Illinois Thursday morning. You can see where the potential for the thickest smoke could reside just around sunrise Thursday.

Throughout the day some of the near surface smoke may mix out, but our skies are likely to remain hazy throughout the afternoon. Some of the near surface smoke may then move back in late Thursday evening, sticking around into Friday morning.

So, what does this all mean for us Thursday? Air quality levels are forecast to be in the 'unhealthy' category, meaning that everyone should reduce

prolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors. Those with breathing issues or asthma should avoid any sort of prolonged activities outdoors.