Air quality alert in effect until midnight in Chicago area, weather officials say
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency issued an Air Pollution Action Day for the greater Chicago area, meaning widespread ozone and particulate levels are expected to be above what is considered safe for children and adults in unhealthy groups suffering from pulmonary and respiratory conditions.
Chicago and surrounding areas were under an earlier air quality alert that expired Tuesday night.
A high temperature in the low 90s was expected Wednesday with a 30 percent chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Officials are expecting that system to hit around 4 p.m. with more thunderstorms before 8 p.m. with wind gusts of about 20 mph.
Current conditions at O'Hare International Airport are mostly cloudy at 78 degrees. Farther south at Midway Airport conditions are similar at 81 degrees.
Officials said the heat index Wednesday will make temperatures feel in the high 90s.
Under the air quality alert, those who fall under the sensitive groups category are warned to limit prolonged periods outside.
Others are asked to limit emission output Wednesday.
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