FORECAST SUMMARY: Monday, July 13, 2026 through Tuesday, July 14, 2026
Ozone: 8-hour average Ozone Particulate concentrations are expected to be mostly Good (AQI Green) to Moderate (AQI Yellow) for the forecast period.
PM-2.5: 24-hour average Fine Particulate concentrations are expected to be mostly Moderate (AQI Yellow) for the forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
The second significant heat dome of the summer will settle over the region and drive our weather for the next dew days. The week will start out with Monday’s temperatures in the low to mid 90’s. Tuesday and Wednesday will likely be the hottest days of the week with temperatures in the upper 90’s. Temperatures by the end of the week will still remain in the low 90’s.
Heat warning per the National Weather Service: “There will be some relief at night with lows in the upper 60s to low 70s, but these multiple days of hot temperatures will be dangerous to those outside and unable to cool off. Make sure to find air conditioning, avoid strenuous activities, wear light clothing, check on family members and neighbors, drink plenty of water, and watch for signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.”
While it would be natural to expect poor Air Quality during such heat waves, models are not indicating any severe worsening of Air Quality. Ozone will likely be held at bay due to increasing humidity, northerly winds aloft, and an elevated level of smoke filtering the sun. We could see scattered and isolated hours in the USG range, but no persistent or widespread periods of USG are expected.
A massive plume of Saharan dust is blanketing Florida and pushing into the Gulf of America. Current predictions do not show any foreseeable impact to the Great Lakes region.
Wildfire smoke may need closer attention. Fires just north of the Minnesota arrowhead could cause enough smoke to impact the western U.P. later in the week. As such, we will keep a close eye and update this forecast Tuesday morning.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
With an increase in temperatures expected during the week, Air Quality is expected to stay in the Moderate range. Forecasts will likely be updated frequently this week, to keep track of any unexpected changes.
Forecast updated by Jim Haywood: Monday, July 13, 2026
Next forecast update: Tuesday, July 14, 2026