FORECAST SUMMARY: Friday, August 28, 2026 through Monday, August 31 2026
PM2.5: 24-hour average fine particulates are expected to be a mix of mostly Good (AQI Green) to scattered Moderate (AQI Yellow).
Ozone: 8-hour average Ozone Particulate concentrations are also expected to be a mix of mostly Good (AQI Green) to scattered Moderate (AQI Yellow).
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
As the end of August approaches and the new school year gets under way, one would expect fall temperatures to begin settling in. However, summer isn’t quite ready to concede as we are looking at a significant warmup, early next week.
As we get into southwest air flow during the weekend, warmer temperatures and higher dew points will begin filtering into the area. Current projections have temperatures reaching near 90 degrees Monday through Thursday with the best chances on Tuesday. Dew points in the high 60’s to near 70 will make it seem like the sweaty middle of summer. As such, it is likely to see some creep in ozone and fine particulates. The shorter days should help keep ozone concentrations in check, but I do expect increased chances for Moderate, early in the week. Fortunately, I do not see any wildfire smoke in the mix, so we should not see numbers beyond Low Moderate.
For the weekend itself, high pressure centered over the region, Friday morning, supports a largely dry forecast. A weak mid-level low-pressure system will pass through the area later Friday bringing a very low chance for some pop-up, isolated showers.
There is a bit more potential in the Sunday night into Monday time frame, but current model projections have the best chances for any precipitation to be across northern lower Michigan,
As for Air Quality during the weekend, I expect ozone to remain mostly in the Good range with a mixture of Good to Moderate for fine particulates.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
Air Quality is expected to remain mostly Good to scattered Moderate through the upcoming weekend.
Forecast updated by Jim Haywood: Friday, August 28, 2026
Next forecast update: Monday, August 31, 2026