Detroit Area Sees World's Worst Air Quality Again, Severe Storms Return Saturday

Lingering Canadian wildfire smoke has given the metro Detroit area the worst air quality in the world for the second consecutive day, according to air quality tracker IQAir.

The air quality index shows the region at 438 on Friday morning, placing the region well into the "hazardous" category, according to the Swiss air quality technology company.

An air quality alert remains in effect for the Detroit area through Friday.

Officials recommend avoiding strenuous outdoor activities, especially those with heart disease and respiratory conditions like asthma.

Officials also suggest keeping windows closed overnight to prevent smoke from getting indoors and, if possible, run central air conditioning with MERV-13 or higher rated filters.

Friday's high will climb toward the 90s before winds shift to the southwest and gradually begin pushing the wildfire smoke out of the region, according to the National Weather Service.

The wildfire smoke should clear the region by Saturday morning, just as forecasters expect strong to severe storms to sweep across southeastern Michigan.

The storms could move into the area as early as 10 a.m., though the most likely window for the storms will be between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. when afternoon highs reach 90 degrees, according to NWS.

Forecasters warned the storms could produce strong winds reaching up to 60 miles per hour and heavy downpours.

All of southeastern Michigan was placed under a slight risk (level 2/5) for severe weather Saturday.

Cooler and less humid air will follow the storms as temperatures fall back into the 80s on Sunday. The comfortable stretch of weather will bleed into early next week, according to NWS.

Here is the full NWS forecast for the Detroit area:

Friday: Smoky; High 91, Low 73

Saturday: Storms; High 92, Low 64

Sunday: Sunny; High 83, Low 65

Monday: Sunny; High 86, Low 69

Tuesday: Chance for Storms; High 86, Low 62