Millions of Americans across parts of California, Illinois and Indiana are being urged to limit driving and reduce outdoor activity through Wednesday, as air quality alerts issued by the National Weather Service (NWS) warn of unhealthy pollution levels driven by ozone and windblown dust.
The alerts affect major population centers in both the Midwest and Southern California, with officials warning that current weather conditions are allowing pollution to build to levels that can pose serious health risks—particularly for children, older adults and people with heart or lung disease.
Where Air Quality Alerts Are in Place
According to the NWS, air quality alerts cover Illinois’ greater Chicago metropolitan area—including counties such as Cook, DuPage, Kane and Will—as well as nearby cities, including Chicago, Aurora, Naperville and Joliet.
A similar alert is in effect across northwest Indiana—including Gary, Hammond and Valparaiso—and extends into LaPorte County…