Temperatures Expected to Soar Tuesday

Hot weekend temperatures set a record in the Romeoville area, but Mother Nature doesn't appear satisfied just quite yet.

Saturday's high of 91 degrees, according to the Weather Channel, broke a 30-year record of 81 degrees set in 1981.

And today's temperatures are expected to approach, if not break, record-highs as well.

According to the Weather Channel, June 7's record-high temperature is 92 degrees, set in 1994. Today's forecast calls for 97 degrees with a widespread haze, while heat index valued could be as high as 100, the National Weather Service reports. The Weather Channel has temperatures soaring to 95 degrees.

Romeoville residents who need a respite from the heat can take shelter at the Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 W. Romeo Road.

Here's the forecast for the rest of the week:

Day

Forecast*

Record Temp.**

Today

High of 97. Widespread haze.

92 (1994)

Wednesday

High of 95. Mostly sunny and hot.

94 (1988)

Thursday

High of 78. 40 percent chance of showers.

96 (1985)

Friday

High near 64. Showers and thunderstorms possible. 

91 (1986)

Saturday

High near 73. Showers and thunderstorms possible. 

89 (2005)

Sunday

High near 71. Partly sunny.

92 (1976)

* National Weather Service forecast

** Weather Channel historical data

The in Romeoville issued a special weather statement Monday, warning residents that the temperature could reach dangerous highs Tuesday and into Wednesday. 

Safety Tips

Infants, children and the elderly are more susceptible to suffering ill effects of extreme heat.

Here are some tips from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for staying safe during the hottest of summer days. For more information, visit the CDC's Extreme Heat website. 

Drink Plenty of Fluids

• During hot weather you will need to increase your fluid intake, regardless of your activity level. Don't wait until you're thirsty to drink. During heavy exercise in a hot environment, drink two to four glasses (16-32 ounces) of cool fluids each hour.

Replace Salt and Minerals

• Heavy sweating removes salt and minerals from the body. These are necessary for your body and must be replaced. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, non-alcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. However, if you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage or taking salt tablets.

Wear Appropriate Clothing and Sunscreen

• Wear as little clothing as possible when you are at home. Choose lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Sunburn affects your body's ability to cool itself and causes a loss of body fluids. It also causes pain and damages the skin.
• If you must go outdoors, protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) along with sunglasses, and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say "broad spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection" on their labels) 30 minutes prior to going out. Continue to reapply it according to the package directions.
• If you must be outdoors, try to limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours. Try to rest often in shady areas so that your body's thermostat will have a chance to recover.

Pace Yourself

• If you are not accustomed to working or exercising in a hot environment, start slowly and pick up the pace gradually. If exertion in the heat makes your heart pound and leaves you gasping for breath, STOP all activity. Get into a cool area or at least into the shade, and rest, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint.

Stay Cool Indoors

• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library—even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.
• Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area. Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness.
• Taking a cool shower or bath or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off. Use your stove and oven less to maintain a cooler temperature in your home.

Use a Buddy System

• When working in the heat, monitor the condition of your co-workers and have someone do the same for you. Heat-induced illness can cause a person to become confused or lose consciousness.
• If you are 65 years of age or older, have a friend or relative call to check on you twice a day during a heat wave. If you know someone in this age group, check on them at least twice a day.

Adjust to the Environment

• Be aware that any sudden change in temperature, such as an early summer heat wave, will be stressful to your body. You will have a greater tolerance for heat if you limit your physical activity until you become accustomed to the heat. If you travel to a hotter climate, allow several days to become acclimated before attempting any vigorous exercise, and work up to it gradually.

Do Not Leave Children in Cars

• Even in cool temperatures, cars can heat up to dangerous temperatures very quickly. Even with the windows cracked open, interior temperatures can rise almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit within the first 10 minutes. Anyone left inside is at risk for serious heat-related illnesses or even death. Children who are left unattended in parked cars are at greatest risk for heat stroke, and possibly death.

[Source: CDC]