Temperature Climbs In The 90s, Heat Index To Hit 100
UPDATED 06/18/12 12:11 p.m.
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Chicago got a scorcher Monday, with a heat index that made it feel like 100 degrees.
The forecast high for Monday was just one degree shy of the record of this date – 98 degrees, set in 1954. The normal high for June 18 date is 81 degrees.
And as if the heat Monday weren't enough in itself, it was combined with a roasting wind of 40 to 50 mph.
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A wind advisory is in effect until 7 p.m. for several counties, including Lake, McHenry, Kendall, DeKalb and LaSalle, as well as Kenosha County in Wisconsin. Winds in those areas could gust up to 30 to 40 mph, or even more.
Some people had no choice but to brave the heat. It's all about long days under the hot sun for construction crews across the city.
Rodrigo Rodrigues makes sure to drink lots of water and take occasional breaks.
"At first, it's really hot, but you get used to it," he tells CBS 2's Mai Martinez.
Not everyone can get used to the heat, and that means big business for air-conditioning repairmen like Jason Heller. His phone was ringing nonstop Monday.
He was a welcome sight to heat-weary homeowners like Matthew McCammon, whose air conditioner went on the fritz over the weekend.
"It went to 85 degrees in a heartbeat," he says.
Heller was able to fix the A/C.
And the trend doesn't end Monday. The high Tuesday is 96, and Wednesday 93. The rest of the week is still above average each and every day, with 84 Thursday, 83 Friday, 82 Saturday, and 85 Sunday.
With all that in mind, some people will be flocking to the city's public pools, but will be disappointed to find them bone dry.
As CBS 2's Susanna Song reports, 12 pools operated by the Chicago Park District are closed. The park district has to replace drains on all its pools, two years after new safety rules were imposed by the state.
LIST: Chicago Park District Pools
The Park District had to update 74 pools in all, but 12 still need work done. Some have also sustained cracks and eroding concrete.
The pool at Portage Park is among those that are closed, and neighbors are none too happy.
"I'm very mad that my tax dollars are paying for this pool to be open when school ends, and it's not open," said neighbor Sandra Townsend. "I buy a pool pass every year, and I'm very angry, with all the hot weather and everything, that we can't be swimming."
"Definitely disappointed – I thought the pool would have been open by the holiday; by last holiday. It's one of the reasons why we moved here. To see it not open is definitely disappointing," added Joe Gonzalez. "We're ready. We're ready."
There are still several dozen pools open, but anyone planning to take a dip Monday will want to double-check to avoid disappointment.
All 26 lakefront beaches are also open and staffed.
Meanwhile, people are advised to dress light and keep plenty of water handy. Also, anyone without air conditioning is advised to head to one of the city's cooling centers.
