Today | Weather | Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Active Weather Warnings

Beach Hazards Statement

Weather in Des Plaines, Illinois

04:50 PM

Now

55° F

Feels Like 50°

Precipitation 0 %

Wind 16 mph

UV Index (0 - 11+) 2

Humidity 49 %

Today

Day 57°

Night 46°

Precipitation 1 %

Wind 14 mph

UV Index (0 - 11+) 9

Warning: High UV Index Today: 9

High risk of harm from unprotected sun exposure. Take precautions: wear a hat, sunglasses, and apply sunscreen regularly if you’ll be outdoors for extended periods.

Des Plaines Weather Forecast Updated

3 seconds ago

Last updated on May 20, 2026 at 4:50 PM

Air Quality in Des Plaines

NOW

43 AQI

Good air quality Dominant pollutant: O₃

Pollutant Concentrations:

PM_2.5 4.03 µg/m³

PM₁₀ 4.62 µg/m³

O₃ 0.047 ppm

NO₂ 1.2 ppb

SO₂ 1.1 ppb

CO 0.11 ppm

NH₃ 1.41 µg/m³

NO 0.26 µg/m³

PM_2.5 – Fine particles <2.5μm

PM₁₀ – Inhalable particles <10μm

O₃ – Ozone

NO₂ – Nitrogen dioxide

SO₂ – Sulfur dioxide

CO – Carbon monoxide

NH₃ – Ammonia

NO – Nitric oxide

Health Recommendations:

Air quality is considered satisfactory, and air pollution poses little or no risk.

Show raw pollutant concentrations (µg/m³)

PM_2.5 – 4.03 µg/m³

PM₁₀ – 4.62 µg/m³

O₃ – 91.49 µg/m³

NO₂ – 2.22 µg/m³

SO₂ – 2.8 µg/m³

CO – 129.84 µg/m³

NH₃ – 1.41 µg/m³

NO – 0.26 µg/m³

View Hourly Air Quality Forecast

Weather Alerts and Warnings for Des Plaines

Moderate Expected Likely

Beach Hazards Statement

Beach Hazards Statement issued May 20 at 4:11PM CDT until May 21 at 1:00PM CDT by NWS Chicago IL

May 20, 4:11 PM → May 21, 1:00 PM

WHAT: High wave action and dangerous currents expected at Lake
Michigan beaches. Waves 3 to 6 ft expected.

WHERE: Lake IL, Northern Cook and Central Cook Counties.

WHEN: Through Thursday afternoon.

IMPACTS: Swimming conditions will be life threatening,
especially for inexperienced swimmers. For information on swim
advisories or bans at Chicago beaches: www. cpdbeaches. com.

+ Read More

Remain out of the water to avoid dangerous swimming conditions and do not venture out onto piers, jetties, breakwalls, or other shoreline structures.

Updated: May 20, 4:50 PM Source: NWS Alert