- Air Quality
Chicago air quality to drop again Saturday, smoky conditions from Canadian wildfires to return
Possibly strong storms could bring damaging wind, hail Saturday afternoon
ByLissette Nuñez, ABC7 Chicago Digital Team
Saturday, July 18, 2026 11:07AM
CHICAGO (WLS) –An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for the Chicago area Saturday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
ABC7 meteorologist Jaisol Martinez said the air quality was considered “moderate” on Saturday morning. The quality could drop to “unhealthy for sensitive groups” Saturday due to elevated ozone levels
Although, Chicagoans are getting some relief from the smoky air, Martinez said winds will push the conditions back into the area on Saturday afternoon
The hazy-smoke is forecast to move back into Chicago as early as 5 p.m. or sunset
Martinez said that although Chicago will likely be under “unhealthy” air quality, the plume of smoke won’t be as bad as Thursday
Smoke will linger into Sunday
Storms are forecast to bring rain to Chicago from noon to 5 p.m. Saturday
Most of the Chicago area, north and west suburbs are under a Level 1 risk for severe weather. Southern suburbs and northwest Indiana are under a Level 2
TRACKING AIR QUALITY |Click here to check air quality in Chicago area
Stan’s Donut Run is expected to go on Saturday after the city saw many events canceled due to the “hazardous” air quality
Organizers at the Tacos y Tamales festival in Pilsen say they are keeping a close eye on weather conditions throughout the weekend
However, opening day for Roscoe Village Burger Fest was postponed until Saturday because of the wildfire smoke
The National Weather Service extended the alert until Monday for parts of northwest Indiana
Martinez said wind direction changes on Monday, which could help with air quality
Health impact
Health experts warned that wildfire smoke contains harmful pollutants
Dr. Soledad Cortina, a cornea specialist with the Illinois Society for Eye Physicians and Surgeons and University of Illinois Chicago Department of Ophthalmology, said the tiny particles in the smoke could have lasting health effects
“Some of the components of wildfire are similar to those of like smoke and tobacco, and we know how damaging that is to the eyes and certain chronic conditions,” said Dr. Cortina
Patricia Ward, the Head Scientist at the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, said that weather patterns like these could continue to happen in the future
“I think we are seeing that more and more across the U.S., North America, in general and around the world in other places too. The expectation is this climate change is going to continue to contribute more extreme weather,” Ward said
READ ALSO| As smoke from Canadian wildfires blankets the US, can wearing a mask help?
Experts also cautioned that poor air quality can affect people indoors. HVAC technicians are encouraging homeowners to inspect their air filters as smoke and airborne particles remain a concern
“Even if the filter looks white – nice, white and clean, if you hold it up to a light and you can’t see the light through it, that means that it’s clogged up,” said Karol Derezinski, a technician with Shavitz Heating and Air Conditioning
AAA also recommends using a vehicle’s air conditioning in recirculate mode to reduce smoke exposure inside a car by limiting the amount of outside air entering the cabin
The smoke and haze blanketing the Chicago area caused low visibility and was expected to create some delays at O’Hare airport
Health experts said the air is unhealthy for everyone to breathe and are encouraging people to avoid or limit time outdoors until the air quality gets better
“If you can see it, and you can smell it, you’re breathing it in…so recommendations right now: if you don’t have to go out, then stay home,” Dr. Juanita Mora of the American Lung Association, said
Doctors also recommend that people stay hydrated, which can help the respiratory system in these smoky conditions
Weather Alerts | Live Doppler Radar
Cook County Radar | DuPage County Radar | Will County Radar | Lake County Radar (IL) | Kane County Radar | Northwest Indiana Radar
Report a correction or typo
Copyright © 2026 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.
