Chicago and surrounding areas are under an air quality alert until midnight, weather officials said.

Smoke from wildfires in Manitoba, a Western province facing its worst fire season in 30 years, has created hazardous air quality conditions across Eastern Canada and the United States.

It is recommended that, when possible, you avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with respiratory diseases such as asthma.

The possible hazards include damaging winds, large hail, an isolated tornado, and torrential downpours. Dew points and moisture levels are high, meaning storms could quickly drop 1–2 inches of rain, leading to a flash flooding threat in some areas.

It’s a warm and hazy day across Chicagoland with an air quality alert in effect for sensitive groups.