‘Oppressive heat and humidity’ continues through Wednesday PM

Allerton Park and Retreat Center in Monticello

URBANA – The National Weather Service says heat indices in Central Illinois will hover around 105-110 degrees Monday through Wednesday of this week.

The NWS office in Lincoln placed Champaign, De Witt, Piatt, Sangamon, Vermilion, and many other central, east-central, and southern Illinois counties under a Heat Advisory, starting Monday at noon until Wednesday at 8:00 p.m. 

Meteorologists are forecasting heat index values of 105 to 110 degrees each afternoon. At night, the heat index will only fall to the upper 70s or lower 80s. 

You’re advised to stay hydrated with water, stay out of the sun, and in air-conditioned rooms and never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Meteorologist Chuck Schaffer of the National Weather Service Lincoln office says the rise in temperatures is part of a nationwide heat wave.

“There’s a very strong ridge of high pressure tracking east and moving across our part of the Midwest right now,” said Schaffer. “So that’s where the heat came from. And it will be persistent for a few days.”

According to the Associated Press: Phoenix, Las Vegas, Denver and California’s Death Valley have all posted record temperatures as dangerous heat sweeps over the American Southwest. The National Weather Service in Phoenix reported a temperature of 114 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, tying the record high for the date set back in 1918. Las Vegas tied a record for the day set in 1956, with temperatures soaring to 109 F. In Colorado, Denver hit 100 F (38 C), tying a record set in 2013 for both the high temperature and the earliest calendar day to reach 100 F. Excessive heat warnings and heat advisories were also issued for parts of Northern California through the Central Valley and down to the southeastern deserts. 

 

Reginald Hardwick

Reginald Hardwick is the News & Public Affairs Director at Illinois Public Media. He oversees daily newscasts and online stories. He also manages The 21st Show, a live, weekday talk show that airs on six NPR stations throughout Illinois. He is the executive producer of IPM's annual environmental TV special "State of Change." And he is the co-creator of Illinois Soul, IPM's Black-focused audio service that launched in February 2024. Before arriving at IPM in 2019, he served as News Director at WKAR in East Lansing and spent 17 years as a TV news producer and manager at KXAS, the NBC-owned station in Dallas/Fort Worth. Reginald is the recipient of three Edward R. Murrow regional awards, seven regional Emmy awards, and multiple honors from the National Association of Black Journalists. Born in Vietnam, Reginald grew up in Colorado and is a graduate of the University of Northern Colorado. Email: rh14@illinois.edu Twitter: @RNewsIPM