Smoky Skies Continue, Temperatures Stay Cooler For The Weekend In Illinois

ILLINOIS — Chicago area residents can expect another day with cooler temperatures, but hazy skies with an air quality alert on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

The IEPA has again issued an air pollution action day for Aug. 1 for all of Illinois due to wildfire smoke.

According to AirNow.gov, air quality was already at unhealthy levels as of 8 a.m. Friday. In Chicago, the level was 159 which is in the "unhealthy" category; and Joliet was at 157, again in the "unhealthy" category.

As of 8 a.m., IQAir ranked Chicago at no. 3 in the list of world major cities with the worst air quality. Minneapolis was no. 2 on the list.

Lingering wildfire smoke may also give skies a hazy look on Saturday too, according to the weather service. Saturday will be slightly warmer than Friday with a high of 81, and "a gradual warming trend is expected into early next week," the weather service said.

Sunday will have a high of 82 and Monday a high of 82. The weekend and start of the work week look to be sunny and dry, according to the current forecast.

Here is a more detailed look at the forecast through the weekend, per the weather service:

FRIDAY: Widespread haze. Areas of smoke before 10 a.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northeast wind 5 to 15 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Widespread haze before 1 a.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 59. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

SATURDAY: Sunny, with a high near 80. Light north northeast wind becoming east northeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. East northeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 10 mph.

SUNDAY: Sunny, with a high near 81. Light and variable wind becoming east 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 62.