Wildfire Smoke In Northern Illinois: Here’s When It’ll Clear Out

If you were hoping to wake up on Friday morning to blue skies and fresh air, you definitely got a disappointing surprise.

Even though early forecasts suggested the worst of the Canadian wildfire smoke would move out Thursday night, thick haze and the smell of smoke are still hanging over Rockford and much of Northern Illinois.

The reason seems to be that Mother Nature changed the schedule.

Meteorologists say light winds and a stubborn weather pattern have kept the smoke trapped close to the ground longer than expected. Instead of quickly blowing east, the smoky air has lingered across northern Illinois, southern Wisconsin, and the Chicago area, keeping air quality at unhealthy levels for many people.

a forest filled with lots of trees covered in smoke

The Good News Is That Relief May Actually Be In Sight

Forecasters now expect the smoke to gradually improve later Friday as winds shift out of the southwest.

A few scattered showers and thunderstorms may also help mix the atmosphere and push some of the smoke out of the region. By Saturday, air quality should be noticeably better across Northern Illinois, and Sunday is expected to bring even cleaner air along with slightly cooler temperatures.

That doesn't mean we're done with wildfire smoke for the summer. With hundreds of large fires still burning across Canada, another change in wind direction next week could send another huge plume our way. Forecasters will continue to keep a close watch on weather patterns.

silhouette of trees

Here Are Some Tips On Keeping Yourself And Your Pets Safe While The Heavy Smoke Is Still Covering Our Area

According to health experts, you should:

• Limit prolonged outdoor activity, especially strenuous exercise.
• Keep windows and doors closed if the air outside smells smoky.
• Run your home's air conditioning on "recirculate" if possible.
• If you must spend extended time outdoors during poor air quality, consider wearing a properly fitted N95 mask.
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible. Dogs, cats, and other animals can also be affected by wildfire smoke, especially older pets and those with heart or lung conditions. Shorten walks, avoid vigorous play outside, and make sure they have plenty of fresh water.

The bottom line is that Northern Illinois is likely looking at one more day of smoky skies before conditions begin improving. Hopefully, by the time you head out for weekend plans, you'll be seeing a lot more blue than gray.