Event narrative (NOAA)
The first heat wave of the summer developed in the middle of July. High temperatures at Northerly Island in downtown Chicago reached 92 on July 15th, 94 on July 16th and 95 on July 17th. The peak heat index reached 99 on July 15th, 104 on July 16th and 113 on July 17th. The heat index was 100 degrees or higher for 11 hours from Noon to 11 pm at Northerly Island on July 17th. The low temperatures remained in the middle to upper 70s downtown during this period. At Ohare Airport, the high temperature reached 97 on July 15th, 94 on July 16th and 95 on July 17th. The peak heat index reached 95 on July 15th, 98 on July 19th and 108 on July 17th. Nine people died due to heat related problems.
Other notable heat events in Illinois
Source: NOAA/NCEI Storm Events Database. Deaths and injuries are those NOAA classifies as direct. Damage is the reporting office's estimate at the time and is not inflation-adjusted. This is a catalogue record, not a forecast.