Science & Nature
Even Chicago’s Bridges Can’t Take the Heat as High Temps and Stifling Humidity Makes It Feel Like 100+
Water pumped by a Chicago Fire Department boat flows down onto the DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge over the Chicago River on Wednesday. Sept. 2, 2026. The double-leaf, double-deck, mounted counterweight bridge turned caught earlier in the day. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune through AP)
Meteorological fall is off to a blistering begin.
Stifling humidity on high of temperatures in the higher 80s and low 90s will make it really feel like 100+ levels exterior on Wednesday, in keeping with the National Weather Service.
Even Chicago’s bridges are feeling the warmth.
The Chicago Department of Transportation reported that the DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge “experienced a heat-related issue preventing it from fully closing.”
The bridge was caught in the “up” place for hours, in keeping with WBBM News Radio, however crews had been ultimately capable of resolve the challenge and by late afternoon visitors was transferring as regular.
Video: The DuSable Lake Shore Drive bridge was caught for a number of hours Sept. 2, 2026, as a consequence of warmth. (Courtesy of Derrick Young)
Wednesday is anticipated to be a repeat of Tuesday, when the heat index reached 106 levels at Chicago’s Midway Airport and 103 levels at O’Hare Airport.
South of I-80, it might really feel extra like 110 levels, the climate service mentioned.
The scorching and humid situations might linger by means of Thursday, with the likelihood of storms growing as the weekend approaches.
People are inspired to remain hydrated, search air con, put on light-colored and unfastened clothes, and shift outside actions indoors if attainable.
In Chicago, tons of of splash pads are nonetheless open in the metropolis’s parks, as are 20 pools. People may search reduction at the metropolis’s cooling facilities.
Contact Patty Wetli: [email protected]