Chicagoland bracing for extreme, dangerous heat; cooling centers open

Extreme, dangerous heat will grip Chicagoland for the next three days.

High temperatures are projected to reach 90 and above from Sunday through Tuesday, making it four consecutive days of 90-degree heat, including Saturday.

The National Weather Servuice has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Monday at noon.

Sunday will be sunny, warm and humid, with high temps in the low 90s and heat index values around 95 or higher. But the real extreme heat will arrive on Monday and Tuesday, with high temps soaring into the upper 90s and heat index values from 100 to 115 in some parts of Chicagoland.

Tuesday, in fact, could make for the hottest day of 2024.

The heat dome that was off to the south has settled right over the Great Lakes region. So it will be very sunny, with very little cloud cover, the next three days. Winds out of the south/southwest are driving up the humidity levels, too.

The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning that will take effect at noon on Monday and last through 10 p.m. Tuesday.

According to the NWS, the warning was issued as heat index values between 103 and 107 degrees on Monday and around 110 degrees on Tuesday are expected.

As Cook County residents brace for the intense heat, the NWS warns that people should drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room and stay out of the sun.

Residents are also advised to check up on relatives and neighbors and NWS officials said young children and pets should never be left unattended in vehicles amid the extreme heat.

Sunday won’t get quite that hot, but there is an Air Quality Alert in effect, with hazy sunshine rising over the city in the early-morning hours. Temps were already in the mid-70s in the warmest Chicagoland locations early Sunday morning, a harbinger of the scorching temps to come.

Showers and thunderstorms then come back into the forecast for the middle to the end of the week. By the end of the week, temps will be back down into the 80s, normal for this time of year.

Cooling centers

During the extreme heat the next several days, area residents are encouraged to stay out of sun, in air conditioning if possible, drink lots of water and other liquids, and take frequent breaks if you have to work outdoors.

Everyone is also encouraged to check on family, friends, neighbors and pets.

The City of Chicago has opened the six cooling centers around the city, shown in the graphic below. Additionally, residents can also seek relief from the heat at 300 other facilities, such as public libraries, Park District facilities, city colleges and police stations.

Residents can call 311 for help or additional questions.

Forecast

TONIGHT: Partly cloudy, warm and muggy. Winds SSW at 5-15 mph. Low 75.

TOMORROW: Excessive Heat Watch. Mostly sunny, hot and humid. High 96, heat index 100-110.

EXTENDED OUTLOOK: Another exceptionally hot day on Tuesday, with high temps that could tie for the hottest day of 2024. High temp of 97, with a heat index from 110-115 in some parts of Chicagoland. A bit cooler on Wednesday, with highs in the mid- to upper 80s and a chance of showers/t’storms back in the forecast.

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