Milwaukee woke up in a sweat Wednesday, July 15, with muggy, clear skies and a forecast that is set to flirt with dangerous heat. The high is expected to reach around 92°F, but with humidity it will feel hotter. A Heat Advisory from the National Weather Service is in effect through 8 p.m. CDT. On top of that, smoke from large wildfires to the north is expected to drift in tonight and could shove air quality into unhealthy territory through Thursday.
Heat Advisory Through Wednesday Evening
The advisory calls for heat index values around 100 to 103°F in parts of the area this afternoon, conditions that can quickly turn risky for older adults, children, and anyone doing strenuous work outside. Temperatures should peak near 92°F, with light north to east winds that will not offer much relief. Overnight, it only cools into the low 70s, so the air stays sticky even after sunset. For the latest advisories and timing, check the National Weather Service.
Smoke and Air Quality
The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources issued a statewide Air Quality Advisory on Tuesday, warning that fine-particulate pollution (PM2.5) is expected to climb as wildfire smoke slides south from Minnesota and Ontario. The advisory says air quality could reach Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups to Very Unhealthy levels, with the possibility of Hazardous NowCast readings in the hardest-hit spots, according to the Wisconsin DNR. People with asthma, heart or lung disease, older adults, and children are urged to limit time outside and keep quick-relief medication close by.
Plan Your Day
City plans are not canceled, but they should be flexible. Do heavy yard work or workouts early in the morning or later in the evening, drink plenty of water, and take frequent breaks in air-conditioned spaces. Milwaukee libraries and many senior centers offer cool indoor areas during business hours, and you can call 2-1-1 to find the nearest cooling location. Keep an eye on conditions before you head out, since smoke may thin later in the week as showers and a passing front increase the odds of some long-awaited relief.
