Extreme Heat Watch for all of Cook County this weekend: TEMPERATURE TRACKER

CHICAGO (WLS) — Serious, potentially dangerous heat will arrive in Chicago this weekend.

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Temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s on Saturday, with the heat index reaching 100-105 degrees on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

An Extreme Heat Watch will go into effect in Cook County on Saturday morning at 10 a.m., and it is set to expire at midnight Tuesday, the National Weather Service said.

For some joggers at DuSable Harbor, it means having to wake up a little earlier to beat the heat.

“Getting up earlier than the heat is amazing. Like 7 a.m., start a run. It’s great. Obviously, the lake is wonderful. The breeze is great. If you’re close to the water, it helps,” said runner Kenzie.

Pet owners say they will be keeping a closer eye on their dogs, especially when they are taking them on a walk.

“Usually, I can tell he is overheating because his tongue will come out. It will come to the side. That’s what I read online, so I’ll take him inside the second it happens. If we are doing a picnic, we have a cooling pad. He’ll lay on it,” said dog owner Nikita.

RELATED | Keeping pets safe during Chicago heat wave

The heat could pose challenges for places like Weiss Memorial Hospital.

Their air conditioning system is shut down, forcing all their patients to be moved, and it could be weeks until it is fixed.

With dangerous heat expected, the Red Cross is sharing how to stay safe and what signs you should look out for if you suspect heat exhaustion.

“That’s going to be if you’re feeling maybe a little bit dizzy, if your hands are clammy, if your temperature starts to rise. In that scenario, again get out of the heat. Get into a cool place, take off any extra clothing you can, put some damp paper towels or towels on you,” said Red Cross Communications Manager Mara Thompson.

SEE ALSO | How to stay cool in Chicago area amid rising temperatures this summer: LIST

Doctors say the best way to keep safe in the heat is to stay hydrated. And with the relatively cooler spring we’ve had so far, the sudden heat can be jarring.

“The main reason we have, a little trouble is, we’re not acclimated to the heat. And so, when we have a sudden change in climate, our bodies just aren’t ready for it,” said Endeavor Health ER Physician Dr. Visas Patel.

Patel says one good gauge for how you are handling the heat is sweat. If you are not sweating, it could mean you are getting dehydrated, and you need to get some fluids and cool off.

Meanwhile, Chicago’s beaches and pools will be packed this weekend as people rush to beat the heat.

READ MORE | Heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion: Here are tips to stay safe in a heat wave

And for those looking for more ways to stay cool, the Chicago Park District will be opening its 50 outdoor pools seven days a week starting Saturday.

The public pools in west suburban Elmhurst were packed on Thursday, and they are expected to stay busy through the weekend.

Abby Hansen brought her son, Harvey, to a pool to cool off.

“He loves it. He’s a very sweaty man, so he likes to cool off in the pool every day,” she said.

Brian Schaeffer got to hang out with the kids on Thursday, and there is no better place to be.

“Absolutely. Getting out and in the pool is great on days like this,” he said.

With temperatures in the mid-70s around noon Thursday, it was pretty comfortable. But hotter with weather on the way, the Elmhurst Park District is preparing for busier days.

“We know we’re gonna make bigger attendance. We wanna make sure we have extra lifeguards at the pool to keep everybody safe,” said Sarah Lagesse with the Elmhurst Park District.

And despite the nationwide lifeguard shortage, the Chicago Park District says they received 55% more applications this year compared to last year, and they are fully staffed for the season.

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