Chicago Area Local News

CHICAGO (CBS) ― If you're sick and tired of the rain and unseasonably cool temperatures that have defined most of the summer of 2009, you're in luck this weekend.

On Friday evening, temperatures were hovering in the 60s as rain fell across the city. Skies remained overcast by just before 10 a.m. Saturday, but the temperature was at 75 degrees and rising.

By the afternoon, the temperature had reached 88 degrees. But the heat index was in the 90s througout the area, and as high as 104 degrees in Joliet.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 7 p.m. Sunday most of northern Illinois, including all the collar counties, and Northwest Indiana. But Cook County is not included in the advisory.

Still, the temperature is going to rise even more on Sunday all across the area. CBS 2's Mary Kay Kleist says temperatures will spike in the mid 90s with a heat index of 100 to 107 degrees.

The sweltering conditions are settling in on a weekend that is jam-packed with events in every corner of the city. On Saturday, those include Lollapalooza in Grant Park, the Bud Billiken Parade along King Drive on the city's South Side, the Caribbean Fest in Union Park, the Festa Italiana on Taylor Street, and the Korean Street Festival at Bryn Mawr and Kedzie avenues.

After a rainy and chilly June and a July without a single 90-degree day, this weekend is the hottest so far this summer.

But extreme heat means serious issues to worry about. The National Weather Service warns that given the cool conditions this past month – a time when Chicagoans are used to temperatures in the 90 degree-plus range – this weekend's high temperatures may feel intense to many people.

The American Red Cross is warning people to be careful and take precautions against heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

Red Cross health expert Joel Schilling says symptoms include nausea, dizziness, flushed or pale skin, heavy sweating and headaches. He advises those suffering from the symptoms "be moved to a cool place, given cool water to drink and ice packs or cool wet cloths should be applied to the skin."

The Red Cross also advises avoiding strenuous activity, slowing down and staying indoors. They also recommend wearing light clothing and drinking water.

At Lollapalooza, event organizers want concertgoers to stay hydrated, as they did last year. They are expecting a sellout crowd of 75,000 people each day, and lots of elbows rubbing together in the 90-degree heat.

"Luckily, we have such a big, beautiful park, so there's plenty of space to spread out, and trees, and shade," Lollapalooza spokeswoman Shelby Meade told CBS 2's Susan Carlson.

Meade says festival organizers are taking precautions to prevent any heat emergencies.

"When you come to the park, there are cooling stations all over the place where you can go, and there's misting, and refill your water throughout the day, so there are areas where you can just take a little break," Meade said.

Here are some common sense tips for handling the heat:

-Drink lots of water and fruit juices; avoid alcohol, coffee and colas.
-Avoid going outdoors in extreme heat, unless necessary.
-Keep shades and blinds closed, but windows slightly open to keep air ciculating.
-Keep electric lights off or dim.
-Take cool baths or showers; use cool towels.
-Stay in air conditioning at home or visit a public cooling center. To find the nearest cooling center in Chicago, call 311.
-Wear loose, light-weight and light-colored clothing, preferrably cotton.
-Eat light meals, avoid using ovens, dishwashers or other appliances that generate heat.
-Avoid or minimize physical exertion.
-Do let anyone, especially the elderly or young children, sit in a hot car, even for a few minutes.
-Check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly.
-If you or anyone you know needs emergency medical attention, call 911.

Note that it is against the law for civilians to open a fire hydrant. If you see an opened hydrant, please report it to the city by calling 311 immediately. Open hydrants drain water supplies, reduce water pressure and hinder firefighters' ability to fight fires. Open hydrants also pose a risk of flooding to basements. The spray from open hydrants can also shield children from the view of passing cars.

CBS 2's Mary Kay Kleist, the Associated Press and the STNG Wire contributed to this report.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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