CHICAGO, IL — The first major heat wave of the season is expected to settle into the Chicago area on Monday, bringing dangerous heat and humidity that could push the heat index to around 105 degrees. An extreme heat warning is in effect for Cook County from noon Monday through 10 p.m. Wednesday, while a broader heat advisory covers nearby counties in Illinois and northwest Indiana.
Temperatures will rise quickly after a mild start to the morning, and officials are urging people to take the threat seriously. The National Weather Service said the conditions could be dangerous for anyone without enough water or access to cooling.
Where the alerts apply
The extreme heat warning covers Cook County. The heat advisory includes McHenry, DeKalb, Kane, Lake, DuPage, LaSalle, Kendall, Grundy, Kankakee and Will counties in Illinois, along with Lake, Porter, Newton and Jasper counties in northwest Indiana.
Some storms are possible late Sunday near the Illinois-Wisconsin state line, but forecasters expect mostly dry weather as the heat builds. Morning temperatures on Monday are forecast to start in the mid-70s, then climb to around 90 degrees by noon.
Cooling centers and safety steps
Chicago’s Department of Family and Support Services is opening six community service centers as cooling sites from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The locations are Auburn Gresham, Garfield, King, North Area, South Chicago and Trina Davila centers.
Residents can also get relief at Chicago Public Library branches, City Colleges of Chicago main campuses, Chicago Park District fieldhouses, pools and splashpads. City officials are also urging people to check on neighbors, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and never leave children or pets in a parked car.
Heat may linger midweek
Tuesday is expected to bring more sunshine, southerly breezes and temperatures in the mid-to-upper 90s, with lakefront readings a few degrees cooler. Heat index values could again reach 105 degrees on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
The National Weather Service says the heat could last beyond Wednesday, depending on storm chances. If storms remain limited, the heat index may stay between 100 and 105 degrees through the middle of the week.
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