FORECAST SUMMARY: Wednesday, July 15, 2026 through Thursday, July 16, 2026
Air Quality Alert for Wednesday and Thursday, July 15-16, 2026
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) is issuing a statewide Air Quality Alert for elevated levels of fine particulate (PM2.5) for Wednesday and Thursday, July 15-16, 2026.
PM2.5:
During Wednesday, pollutants could reach the Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (AQI Orange) in the Southern Lower Peninsula, Unhealthy in the Eastern U.P. and Upper Lower Peninsula (AQI Red), and Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple) in the Western Upper Peninsula. There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).
For Thursday, expect Very Unhealthy (AQI Purple) in the Upper Peninsula with Unhealthy (AQI Red) for the rest of the state. There is a possibility some hourly readings could reach Hazardous (AQI Maroon).
Ozone: 8-hour average Ozone Particulate concentrations are expected to be mostly Good (AQI Green) to Moderate (AQI Yellow) for the forecast period.
FORECAST DISCUSSION
A statewide Air Quality Alert remains in place, along with heat advisories for Wednesday. Canadian wildfires, north of the Minnesota arrowhead continue to burn, out of control, and are spreading. A review of the Wednesday morning monitors is showing AQI impacts in the Upper Peninsula and Upper Lower ranging from USG to Very Unhealthy. It is possible some hourly reading could reach Hazardous. Those conditions will persist and slowly migrate southwards towards the Michigan/Indiana border throughout the day.
A weak front will drop south through the state during Wednesday that could trigger thunderstorms in southeast and south-central Michigan. Most likely, that front will only drag the smoke south into the southern part of the Lower Peninsula. It will serve to lower temperatures but only by a few degrees. A stronger front moves in for Sunday resulting in more comfortable highs in the 80s, but it is too early to predict what the smoke conditions will be, at that time.
With the persistent and aggressive nature of these fires, a statewide Air Quality Alert will remain in place through Thursday with a good possibility of extending into Friday. Health advisors recommend limiting outdoor time, making sure to keep windows closed and, if possible, run central air conditioning with higher rated filters.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Quality is expected to be to range between USG and Very Unhealthy. The possibility of hourly Hazardous spikes exists. Forecasts will be updated frequently this week, to keep track of any unexpected changes.
Forecast updated by Jim Haywood: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Next forecast update: Thursday, July 16, 2026