Air Quality Alert Friday, Chance Of Storms During Hot IL Weekend

ILLINOIS — An air quality alert will end the week, as poor air quality is expected on Friday, according to the National Weather Service. The weekend is then expected to be warm, with a chance of rain and storms, starting Saturday night.

The air quality alert is in effect all day Friday, and those with chronic respiratory issues should limit prolonged outdoor activity, the weather service said.

An air pollution action day is declared "when weather conditions are such that widespread ozone and or particulate levels are expected to be at or above the unhealthy for sensitive groups category of the air quality index," according to the weather service.

As of Friday morning, the air quality was at 124 in Joliet, which is categorized as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," according to AirNow.gov.

Air quality is expected to go back to "moderate" on Saturday.

The weekend ahead will be warm, with a high of 93 on Saturday, and a high of 85 on Sunday, according to the weather service.

Chances for rain and storms will increase starting Saturday, and last through Monday, but the weekend "will not be a washout," the weather service said on Twitter.

Monday will start the week with slightly cooler temps at a high of 77.