Scorching Temperatures Rival Deadly 1995 Heat Wave In Chicago Area

CHICAGO — With some schools and businesses closing and events being canceled due to the heat, the Chicago area is seeing scorching temperatures that could break records and rival the blistering weather that took hundreds of lives during the July 1995 heat wave.

After hitting 98 degrees Wednesday, the temperature could reach 100 degrees Thursday at O'Hare International Airport, according to the National Weather Service. The last time the city saw 100-degree weather on Aug. 24 was 76 years ago, in 1947. It would also be the first time the temperature hit 100 degrees at O'Hare since July 6, 2012.

Related: Schools Without AC Close Amid Heat Wave

The all-time high temperature for August in Chicago is 102 degrees, recorded on Aug. 5, 1918, the National Weather Service said.

Chicago also recorded the second-highest heat index — 116 degrees — of all time on Wednesday around noon. The highest ever heat index of 118 degrees came on July 16, 1995, amid a heatwave that claimed over 700 lives, according to Block Club Chicago.

On the 20th anniversary in 2015, the Chicago Tribune called the deadly heat wave "one of the city's worst natural disasters," hitting the poor and the elderly the hardest as the temperature at Midway airport hit 106 degrees on July 13, 1995. "On a single day — July 15 — the number of heat-related deaths reached its highest daily tally of 215," the Tribune reported. "Refrigerated trucks were summoned to handle the overflow of corpses."

The deaths came as "transformers failed, power outages grew and water pressure in some neighborhoods slowed to a dribble," the Washington Post reported.

Dangerous heat continues, but relief in sight

The National Weather service said widespread, oppressive and dangerous heat and humidity were expected to continue Thursday, with heat indices that could reach 110 to 115 degrees before a cold front moves in during the evening.

An excessive heat warning is in effect for the entire Chicago area until 8 p.m.

The cold front could bring the risk of isolated strong to severe storms Thursday night. Expect highs in the upper 80s Friday before temperatures cool off into the mid-70s to low-80s by the weekend.

To stay safe in extreme temperatures, Ready Illinois advises:

• Stay out of the sun. If you must be in the sun, wear sunscreen (at least SPF 15) and a wide-brimmed hat.
• Avoid overexertion and strenuous outdoor activities.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes that cover as much skin as possible to prevent sunburn.
• Consume plenty of non-alcoholic, non-caffeinated fluids, even if you don't feel thirsty. Water, diluted juices, and electrolyte solutions are best. Stay away from carbonated drinks.
• Avoid alcohol.
• If you are on a fluid-restricted diet or taking diuretics, consult your doctor before exposing yourself to heat.
• Keep lights in your home low or off, keep shades drawn, and avoid using the oven.
• Keep rooms well ventilated with air conditioners and fans. Keep your windows open if you don't have air conditioning or a fan. Note: Fans will not prevent heat-related illness when the temperature is in the high 90s.
• Cool down with cool, wet towels and periodic cool baths or showers.
• Take advantage of cooling centers, public pools, and air-conditioned stores and malls during periods of extreme heat.
• Exposure to air conditioning for even a few hours a day will reduce the risk for heat-related illness.
• Closely monitor children, the elderly, or those who require special care during periods of intense summer heat.
• Do not leave children or pets in a closed vehicle, even for a few minutes. On a hot day, temperatures inside a closed vehicle can reach 140ºF-190ºF within 30 minutes.
• Make a special effort to check on your neighbors during a heat wave, especially if they are seniors, families with young children, people with special needs, or living alone.
• Seniors and others who may be sensitive to extreme heat should contact friends, neighbors, or relatives periodically throughout the day.
• Seek help if you feel symptoms of heat-related illnesses.

If your power is out, or you do not have air conditioning, find a cooling center near you.