BELLIS BLOG: Chicago's historic heat wave
Before we talk about Chicago’s deadly heat wave of 1995, let’s quickly recap the summer of 2015.
So far it’s been a cooler and wetter than average summer around Chicago. A lot like the summer of 2014.
Through July 15th, Chicago has reached 90 only once. Chicago’s O’Hare has recorded 17 days in the 80s, 20 days in the 70s, and 7 days in the 60s. These numbers are for the meteorological summer (June through August).
Since June 1st Chicago’s O’Hare has received 8.42 inches of rain while Midway has received 9.99 inches of rain.
Chicago’s historic heat wave killed at least 600 people between July 12th through July 15th, 1995.
July 12th through July 15th saw high temperatures of 97, 104, 100, & 98 degrees with the heat index values of 104, 119, 116, & 105 degrees. Midway recorded a heat index on July 13th of 125 degrees.
Dew point temperatures ranged from the mid-70s to the lower 80s during the four day stretch.
The combination of these high dew points and the urban heat island effect kept the heat index at times around 100 degrees around the city of Chicago overnight.
The heat index stayed at or above 100 degrees for 58 hours during the four day stretch.
For a complete breakdown of Chicago’s historic heat wave, click here