FORECAST SUMMARY: Thursday June 18th, 2026, through Monday June 22nd, 2026
Ozone:
Ozone concentrations are expected to be in the Good (Green AQI) range.
PM2.5:
PM2.5 concentrations are expected to be in the Good (Green AQI) range.
FORECAST DISCUSSION:
Michiganders who were impacted by wind and rain midweek wake up to somewhat calm conditions and slowly start to dry out this Thursday morning. Residual rain showers and wind gusts are hanging around the state, however, this morning but are expected to move off to the east later in the day. Light winds and clearing skies are in place for Friday with surface temperatures slightly rebounding with the aid of sunshine. Saturday continues the slight warming trend although a small disturbance is expected to move in early in the morning which may provide rain to those in the lower peninsula. With this, winds are expected to shift more so to the WNW during the day on Saturday, so the upper peninsula will feel the cooler temperatures off Lake Superior. These winds continue into Sunday along with another disturbance which will bring rain to the lower peninsula again, in some capacity, as models are not in agreement with the exact location at this time.
With the passing of the Low-pressure system and frontal boundary that brought rain to the Great Lakes on Wednesday and Thursday, winds will predominantly be northerly this weekend with some westerly and easterly component to them. This typically provides cleaner air for both Ozone and PM2.5, when there are no wildfire impacts. Also, along with potential rain showers, temperatures are looking to remain in the 70s, at most, which is not quite warm enough for the Ozone photochemical reaction to occur, so Ozone will remain in the Good range for the weekend ahead. Looking at the Canadian wildfire map, there currently are wildfires in Canada, but nothing compares to this time last year, 2025, where we already were impacted by smoke at this point in the summer. Although winds will be northerly this weekend, wildfire smoke does not look to be an issue for PM2.5 concentrations.
EXTENDED FORECAST:
We warm up slightly to start next week, but winds still have a northerly component to them, so cooler than normal temperatures will prevail. Air quality will remain in the Good range.
Next Forecast update: Monday June 22nd, 2026