TNWNews Local Weather Report – Aurora & Chicago

Thursday, July 31, 2025 | 12:00 PM CET
Compiled by the Local Aurora News Desk

🌫️ Thick Haze Reduces Visibility – Air Quality Alert Active

Aurora, IL — Hazy skies and drifting wildfire smoke continue to limit visibility across Aurora and the greater Chicagoland area this afternoon. From downtown Aurora to Lake Michigan, visibility remains below 5 miles, and the smell of smoke lingers in the air. Winds from the northeast are holding temperatures in the mid-70s, but the real story is the air quality—which has reached unhealthy levels for all residents.

The Aurora Local Radar Station (ID: IL-AR23) shows the dense smoke layer parked over the region, with limited movement expected until cooler air arrives late Thursday night.

🚨 Air Quality Alert – Active Through This Evening

A Code Red Air Quality Alert has been issued for Kane, DuPage, Cook, and surrounding counties, triggered by wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada. Air quality monitors report PM2.5 levels nearing 180, which poses a health risk to the general public.

AQI Level: 178 (Unhealthy)
Primary Concern: Fine particulate matter (PM2.5)

Health experts strongly recommend:

• Avoiding strenuous activity outdoors
• Using indoor air filtration
• Wearing N95/KN95 masks if outdoor exposure is unavoidable

🕐 Forecast Snapshot for Aurora/Chicago

TimeConditionTempWind (NE)Visibility12 PMHazy Skies75°F16 mph5 miles3 PMHazy Sun77°F15 mph4 miles6 PMBreezy Haze74°F17 mph3 miles9 PMSmoky Clear69°F12 mph4 miles

Evening skies may appear clearer, but residual smoke will still pose health concerns. Conditions may improve overnight into Friday.

💬 Residents Adjust to Hazy Routine

“I try to take an hour and a quarter per hour,” said one resident working downtown. “But the haze makes it hard to see even the skyline. It’s like breathing through a filter.”

Outdoor workers and news crews across the region are adapting with reduced exposure time and protective gear. TNW field teams have switched to "75:15 pacing"—limiting continuous outdoor activity to 75 minutes followed by indoor recovery time.

🛰️ Radar Image – IL-AR23 (Aurora Local)

[Insert Radar Graphic Here]

Live radar imagery shows thick smoke bands hovering across:

• Fox Valley
• Western suburbs
• Downtown Chicago

Movement is slow with only minor clearing expected until a cold front sweeps in Friday morning.

✅ TNW Safety Reminder

• Limit time outdoors.
• Check AQI levels before commuting or exercising.
• Use fans with HEPA filters indoors.
• Follow @TNWWeather and TNWWeather.com for ongoing updates.

📝 Compiled by: The Local Aurora News Desk
📍 Location: TNW Studio – Aurora, IL
🕛 Filed: Thursday, July 31, 2025 – 12:00 PM CET