Scattered thunderstorms are forecast to hit parts of the Chicago area Friday as the region grapples with “hazardous” air quality and heavy smoke from Canadian wildfires. Will the rain help?
The answer is yes.
Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop Friday afternoon and continue through the evening, bringing threats of lightning strikes, heavy downpours and gusty winds in locations they hit.
Peak coverage is expected to be between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m., according to the National Weather Service.
“Smoky conditions this morning should ease by the afternoon as scattered thunderstorms develop across the area,” the NWS wrote on social media.
The storms will also coincide with a change in the wind direction that will push smoke northeastward.
But while storms aid in relief, it is only temporary, according to NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Alicia Roman, noting the smoky rainfall could make for some dirty vehicles.
“Rain could ‘temporarily’ relieve wildfire smoke, but once the rain ends, smoky skies may return,” Roman said, “Also, leaving behind the ‘dirty rain.’ A heavy prolonged rain and a shift in winds, especially a wind shift, change in wind direction will be the best best to remove smoke from the air.”
And the smoke does appear to potentially return.
Fellow NBC 5 Storm Team Meteorologist Iisha Scott said while Saturday morning looks to stay clearer, the smoke is expected to return again Saturday afternoon and evening and could stick around into Sunday.
“So we’re starting off good Saturday morning, but then that smoke will likely return as we get to Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. And possibly becoming even thicker as we get into the day on Sunday,” Scott said.
Another round of storms Saturday could impact things, however.
A second round of storms is expected to arrive on Saturday, primarily south of Interstate 88.
“So some of those storms on Saturday could be strong, possibly severe,” Scott said. “One out of five risk for the majority of our viewing area. As you head farther south, a slightly higher risk for severe storms, with the main threats being damaging wind gusts and also heavy rain that could certainly lead to some localized flooding.”
With the shift in weather also comes a cold front that will send temps back into the 80s following extreme heat seen throughout this week.
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