On June 8, 1933, Chicagoans sweltered as the temperature reached a scorching 97 degrees, considered the record high for the date.
“We’re going to be flirting with the record,” said Paul Merzlock, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service. He said the mercury probably will hit 96 or 97 degrees Wednesday with a heat index of 100.
Tuesday’s 96-degree high was only the second-highest for the date since 1933, meteorologists said.
As the temperatures soared Tuesday, Denise Hughes cooled off in the shade at Millennium Park, flapping a blue cardboard fan. She said staying calm and relaxed is key to staying cool.
“Don’t let nobody aggravate you,” Hughes said.
Rahul Khare, an emergency room doctor at Northwestern Memorial Hospital, warned that people should watch for symptoms such as nausea, headache and weakness, signals of heat exhaustion. He added that slurred words and confusion are signs that a person may be experiencing heat stroke, which can be deadly.
No heat-related deaths were reported in the region, authorities said Tuesday.
The hot streak is expected to end late Wednesday evening, when temperatures are expected to begin falling as a cold front blows in from the northwest.
Tribune reporter Alissa Groeninger contributed.
