Wildfire Haze, Scattered Storms Could Hit IL As Temperatures Heat Up

ILLINOIS — Scattered storms will kick off the weekend on Friday afternoon, as haze from Canadian wildfire smoke is also expected through Sunday, according to the National Weather Service.

Scattered storms are possible east of Interstate 39, mainly between 4 and 9 p.m. on Friday, the weather service said. The strongest storms could produce locally damaging winds.

Before the storms, Friday "will be dry, breezy and warm," the weather service said. Friday will have a high of 81 degrees.

Warmer temperatures will continue into the weekend and the upcoming work week. However, smoke from Canadian wildfires could filter the sunshine through the weekend.

"A big warm is coming next week with highs well into the 80s, even up to the lakefront Monday and Tuesday," the weather service said.

The high on Saturday is 79, 82 on Sunday, 89 on Monday, 91 on Tuesday and 83 on Wednesday.

Here's a look at the daily forecast, per the National Weather Service:

FRIDAY: A 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. West northwest wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT: Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 10pm. Patchy smoke before 1 a.m. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 55. North wind 5 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60 percent. New precipitation amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

SATURDAY: Sunny, with a high near 70. North northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 49. North wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

SUNDAY: Sunny, with a high near 77. North wind 5 to 10 mph.

SUNDAY NIGHT: Mostly clear, with a low around 56.

Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap