It's official: While most of the nation remains in the grips of a sweltering heat wave, Chicago's first heat advisory of the year has been issued.
Effective 11 a.m. Thursday through 7 p.m. Friday, the advisory was issued in advance of temperatures that are expected to hit the low to mid-90s Thursday and the upper 90s Friday, DNAinfo Chicago reports, according to a National Weather Service alert. The heat index -- or what it really feels like outside -- is expected to approach triple digits thanks to high humidity levels.
Low temperatures will only be in the middle to upper 70s Thursday evening, according to the NWS.
The heat wave already was responsible for power outages in the Chicago area overnight Thursday, in addition to some incidents of buckling pavement, according to ABC Chicago. More rolling blackouts could come Thursday and Friday.
To beat the heat, drink lots of fluids, especially water and call 311 for help locating a city cooling center. The city is also advising residents to check on seniors or the disabled during the extreme heat, or call 311 to request a well-being check. The city has responded to 84 requests for well-being checks, the Chicago Tribune reports.
Relief from the heat isn't anticipated until a cold front approaches Friday evening bringing temperatures dipping into the lower 80s and some expected storms.
Those storms, according to AccuWeather, could bring dangerous weather to parts of the city including possible quarter-size hail and wind gusts as high as 60 mph.
Related
Before You Go
