Strong storms expected Saturday with damaging wind and hail while smoke from Canadian wildfires keeps air quality moderate to unhealthy; wind changes may improve conditions and events like Donut Run are rescheduled
Possibly strong storms could bring damaging wind, hail Saturday afternoon. An Air Quality Alert remains in effect for the Chicago area Saturday due to smoke from Canadian wildfires.
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. Martinez said that although Chicago will likely be under "unhealthy" air quality, the plume of smoke won't be as bad as Thursday.
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. 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. Martinez said wind direction changes on Monday, which could help with air quality. Hundreds of wildfires are burning in Canada, including about 190 in northern Ontario, Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference.
Flames destroyed the Namaygoosisagagun First Nation community, and 10 northern Ontario communities have been evacuated or were being evacuated, with more possible. In response to the smoke, U.S. President Donald Trump made a social media post Friday that blamed Canada for its forest management and threatened additional tariffs on Canada. Asked about a Michigan lawmaker's criticism about the smoke, Ford noted Canada has helped the U.S. fight fires in the past.
"If there's some politicians out there chirping away, maybe what you should do rather than complain is send support, send help, because we have done the exact same thing for our American friends and that's what you're supposed to do," Ford said. 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. 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.
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