{"url_path":"/weather/alerts/2.49.0.1.840.0.0e10f539024bad5e6641a7b05792618f4e09628b.001.1","section_key":"alert","section_title":"Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 1:54PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL","topic":"weather","document":{"doc_type":"alert","doc_date":"2026-07-16","source_url":"https://api.weather.gov/alerts/urn%3Aoid%3A2.49.0.1.840.0.0e10f539024bad5e6641a7b05792618f4e09628b.001.1","accession_number":null,"cik":null,"ticker":null,"issuer_name":null,"edgar_url":null,"primary_entity_key":null,"primary_entity_name":"NWS Quad Cities IA IL"},"word_count":443,"has_tables":false,"body_markdown":"# Air Quality Alert: Air Quality Alert issued July 16 at 1:54PM CDT by NWS Quad Cities IA IL\n\n**Severity:** Unknown\n**Certainty:** Unknown\n**Urgency:** Unknown\n**Areas:** Jo Daviess; Stephenson\n**Issued by:** NWS Quad Cities IA IL\n**Sent:** 2026-07-16T13:54:00-05:00\n**Effective:** 2026-07-16T13:54:00-05:00\n**Expires:** 2026-07-18T00:00:00-05:00\n\n## Description\nThe Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has issued a Red\nForecast Air Pollution Action Day for Friday July 17th for the AirNow\nAQI forecast sectors of Rockford and all 6 Chicago area forecast\nsectors. This is in addition to downgrade of the ongoing action day\nto a Purple Forecast Air Pollution Action Day in effect today.\n\nThese Purple and Red Forecast Air Pollution Action Days are declared\ndue to a forecast of Very Unhealthy-Purple category particulates on\nThursday July 16th and a forecast of Unhealthy-Red category\nparticulates on Friday July 17th.\n\nNorthern IL is on the edge of a thick plume of surface smoke\nblanketing the Great Lakes and Northeast U.S. While some models do\nsuggest minor decreases in smoke/PM2.5 levels are possible today,\nthey also suggest that the smoke wont significantly decrease until\nbetween mid-morning and mid-afternoon Friday. Forecasts for 24-hour\nAQI will remain in poor categories Friday even though condition may\neventually improve. With this in mind, those with air quality\nconcerns or outdoor plans are encouraged to check current NowCast\nreadings or sign up for EnviroFlash alerts on AirNow.gov to aid in\nboth identifying periods of poor AQI and periods of improving AQI.\n\nAQI Category Guidance\n\nUnhealthy - Everyone should reduce prolonged activities or heavy\nexertion outdoors. Active children, older adults, and people with\npulmonary or respiratory disease such as asthma should avoid\nprolonged activities or heavy exertion outdoors.\n\nVery Unhealthy - Sensitive groups: Avoid all physical activity\noutdoors. Reschedule to a time when air quality is better or move\nactivities indoors. Everyone else: Avoid long or intense activities.\nConsider rescheduling or moving activities indoors. Note: If you\ndon't have an air conditioner, staying inside with the windows closed\nmay be dangerous in extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go\nsomeplace with air conditioning or check with your local government\nto find out if cooling centers are available in your community.\n\nHazardous - Everyone: Avoid all physical activity outdoors.\nSensitive groups:\nRemain indoors and keep activity levels low. Follow tips for keeping\nparticle levels low indoors. Note: If you don't have an air\nconditioner, staying inside with the windows closed may be dangerous\nin extremely hot weather. If you are hot, go someplace with air\nconditioning or check with your local government to find out if\ncooling centers are available in your community.\n\nAir quality forecasts, current air quality, and tips on how you can\nreduce your emissions can be found at www.airnow.gov\n\nMedia Contact... Illinois EPA"}