Temperatures should hit or exceed 100° around the Chicago metro area this afternoon. An official heat index between 105 and 110° is likely. Chicago has experienced a 110° heat index only once ( 114° on July 30, 1999) since the all-time record of 125° was set during the deadly 1995 heat wave. The Excessive Heat Warning takes effect at 1 p.m. this afternoon. The impact of the heat will be further enhanced by the mostly sunny skies—the sun will beat down on dark rooftops which will absorb and reradiate the heat into the buildings below.
The city has cooling stations and the emergency aid 311 telephone number for those in need of assistance.
Chicago sits on the eastern edge of 100° readings which reach back west into the Rockies and as far north as Bismarck, N.D. A 120° reading was observed near Usta, S.D. yesterday tying the all-time record high for that state.
--By Paul Dailey, WGN-TV Weather Center Meteorologist
WGN-TV Chief Meteorologist Tom Skilling and the WGN Weather Center staff provide daily coverage of weather in the Chicago area.
