Unhealthy air quality lingers through Wednesday before strong to severe storms arrive

 

The air quality in southeast Wisconsin is some of the worst in the world today. The entire region is experiencing unhealthy to very unhealthy air quality for everyone. Waukesha is currently experiencing the worst air quality of anywhere in the world.

Wildfire smoke from Canada is also reducing visibility to under 2 miles for most of southeast Wisconsin. It's recommended that you stay indoors today, keep the windows closed, and wear a mask if you have to spend extended time outside.

Ground level smoke will improve somewhat overnight into early Wednesday, but it'll return to unhealthy levels Wednesday afternoon. We'll start to see less surface smoke on Thursday, but we'll still have enough around to keep the air unhealthy for those with respiratory issues.

Not only are we tracking the smoke, but we're also watching a chance for severe weather Wednesday night into Thursday. A line of storms looks to develop in western WI later Wednesday and track through SE WI early Thursday morning. 

This line will likely be weakening as it moves through but may still produce strong to severe wind gusts. We're currently in a level 1 of 5, Marginal Risk, for severe storms early Thursday morning.

Depending on if the line completely passes through the area or fizzles out over us will determine if we have a second round of strong to severe storms Thursday afternoon.

We're also under a Marginal Risk for severe weather Thursday afternoon with a level 2 of 5, Slight Risk, for areas near the WI/IL border.

Download the CBS 58 Ready Weather App to keep up on the forecast the next few days.