Weather officials are asking drivers to choose a cleaner commute Wednesday as Chicago entered its second day of “very unhealthy” air quality levels because of smoke from Canadian wildfires that has settled over the city and surrounding areas.
Another air quality alert was issued by the National Weather Service and officials are asking the public to reduce emissions, such as by car pooling or using public transportation, and to avoid using gas-powered lawn and garden equipment or burning leaves, trash and other materials.
Experts recommend that people stay inside and keep windows closed and limit physical activity, especially outdoors.
“Active children and adults, especially people with pulmonary or respiratory diseases such as asthma, should limit prolonged outdoor activity,” weather officials said.
The air quality alert was due to expire at midnight, officials said.
Current conditions at the city’s airports are still smoky from wildfires and 63 degrees with a slight chance of thunderstorms between noon and 5 p.m., according to the National Weather Services.
According to the monitoring site IQAir, Chicago had the worst air quality out of 95 cities worldwide Tuesday, and that continues into Wednesday.
Gray skies clouded by Canadian wildfires have put sensitive groups in Chicago in a cautionary state as ozone levels and particulate levels continue to make prolonged activity outdoors unhealthy for children and adults suffering with pulmonary and respiratory conditions, officials said.
According to Scott Baker, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Romeoville, as of Tuesday the weather service has issued nine air quality alert days for the Chicago metropolitan area in 2023. Seven have been in the month of June and Wednesday made 10 air quality days to be issued in 2023.
Meanwhile, weather officials say there is a slight chance of thunderstorms expected Wednesday with hail up to quarter size and wind up to 60 mph for portions of north central and northeast Illinois, and northwest Indiana. As the greatest chance of thunderstorms tonight is in southern Illinois, storms may develop over northern Illinois and northwest Indiana late Wednesday.
Other areas have been dealing with excessive heat and wildfire smoke, but Chicago highs Wednesday were expected to stay around the mid-70s.
In emergency rooms citywide, more patients have come in complaining of symptoms related to the wildfire smoke as officials warn the air quality is dangerous for anyone braving the outdoors as well as those belonging to sensitive groups.
Check back throughout Wednesday for updates on the air quality alert.
For air quality forecast and tips on how the public can reduce pollution go to www.airnow.gov.
