Chicago weather: Extreme Heat Warning for all of Cook County this weekend, heat index in 100s
Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s on Saturday, with the heat index reaching 100-105 on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday.
CHICAGO (WLS) -- Summer gets its official start Friday, as the Chicago area braces for several days of extreme heat.
Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s on Saturday, with the heat index reaching 100-105 degrees on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
ABC7 Chicago is now streaming 24/7. Click here to watch
A National Weather Service Extreme Heat Warning went into effect for Cook County at 10 a.m., and will expire at midnight Tuesday.
SEE ALSO | How to stay cool in Chicago area amid rising temperatures this summer: LIST
The high temperatures mixed with the humidity will cause many to break a sweat this weekend.
"I stay hydrated; I make sure I do electrolytes because you are giving more sweat, and that sort of thing," runner Amy said.
For those looking for ways to stay cool, starting Saturday the city's 50 outdoor pools will be open seven days a week.
RELATED | Keeping pets safe during Chicago heat wave
The city will also open cooling centers, which include Garfield Center, Chicago Park District locations, public libraries, city colleges and police districts.
Friday morning, lots of people flocked to North Avenue Beach to enjoy an early morning workout before the heat arrives.
"Especially tomorrow, we are looking at the temperatures and trying to get out here by 7 a.m., trying to enjoy the sunshine without getting too exhausted," volleyball player Annika Baaker said. "Staying super hydrated, making sure to get some shade when we can and take breaks, also just checking on neighbors."
People enjoying the sunshine are finding ways to stay cool, too.
"Constant lake jumps, frequent lake jumps, lots of breaks, we have sand socks. So, we'll wear those cause you gotta keep playing, lots of water," Josh Dawson said.
Friday, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Office of Emergency Management and Communications as the city prepares for the dangerous heat.
"Make sure you check on our loved ones and our neighbors, especially our seniors and those with health conditions," Mayor Johnson said.
"If you start feel confused, if you start to have headaches, if you start to vomit, please call 911. We want folks to get help as soon as possible," Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Olusimbo Ige said. "Ice packs and towels applied to your neck, to your wrists, to your armpit helps to cool you down."
Ige said people should go inside with air conditioning, if possible.
Mayor Johnson says the city has ample resources to avoid a tragedy like in 1995, when a heat wave took hundreds of lives across Chicago.
"We lost more than 700 Chicagoans; most of them were the elderly and poor. It really challenged the city to recognize the danger of extreme heat so we never see a tragedy like that occur again," Johnson said.
There's certainly a special summer atmosphere that has now taken over the city.
One of the most special parts of summertime Chi is the fact that you can find a festival in just about every corner of Chicago. That's the case at Greek Fest hour in the Gold Coast.
"Oh my god I missed it; it's beautiful," Maria said. "It's good to see more people here at the festival. It just feels like summer."
There's also Back of the Yards Fest, offering delicious local food and family fun through Sunday night.
"We're prepared for this weather, prepared for the heat. We've got some cooling stations, water everywhere," said Craig Chico, CEO of the Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council.
