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\u201cExtreme\u201d heat and humidity will bake Chicago this week. <\/p>\n
The heat index is expected to hit 105 to 115 degrees in the metro area on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. And the setting sun won\u2019t provide much relief \u2014 temperatures will likely remain above 90 degrees well into the night. <\/p>\n
But don\u2019t expect any temperature records to be broken, said Gino Izzi, a meteorologist with the weather service\u2019s office in Romeoville<\/p>\n
\u201cIt will be unpleasant, uncomfortable and maybe dangerous,\u201d Izzi said. \u201cBut this is pretty normal for this time of the year.\u201d <\/p>\n
So far this season, two people have died, in part, from the heat, according to the Cook County medical examiner\u2019s office. Earlier this month, the city marked the 30th anniversary<\/a> of a deadly heat wave that killed more than 700 people. <\/p>\n Thursday will also be hot and humid with the heat index sitting above 100. But the potential for clouds, showers and thunderstorms might help keep temperatures lower than Wednesday, Izzi said. <\/p>\n The heat sticks around at night in the city because the concrete absorbs heat during the day and escapes at night after the sun sets, Izzi said. That makes temperatures hotter in the city at night compared to the suburbs where there\u2019s more green space. <\/p>\n \u201cWe call it the urban heat island,\u201d Izzi said. \u201cIt\u2019s not a terribly uncommon thing in Chicago.\u201d <\/p>\n People should avoid strenuous activities, take breaks in a cool, air conditioned space as much as possible and drink lots of water, said Izzi. He also recommends checking on elderly neighbors and relatives, especially if they live without air conditioning. Chicago residents can call 311 for a wellness check if they\u2019re concerned about a loved one. <\/p>\n Children, pregnant people and anyone with a chronic illness are also vulnerable in the high heat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heat stroke symptoms include hot, dry skin or profuse sweating, confusion, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, seizures and a very high body temperature. <\/p>\n Conditions shouldn\u2019t be as bad Friday, but the humidity will stick around and temperatures will likely be in the 80s, Izzi said. <\/p>\n Saint Sabina Church will be giving out cold bottled water Wednesday starting at noon at the corner of 79th Street and Racine Avenue, about a block south from the church. <\/p>\n The city\u2019s cooling centers will be open Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The hours at the Garfield Center have been extended to 8 p.m., according to the Office of Emergency Management and Communications. <\/p>\n The centers are: <\/p>\n City senior centers, libraries and park district fieldhouses are also available during their usual hours for folks trying to cool off. All cooling center locations can be found here<\/a>. <\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhere to keep cool <\/h3>\n
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