Heat, above all other weather phenomena such as flooding, tornadoes, or lightning, is typically the deadliest weather event in America. One notable heatwave in recent U.S. history resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives in the Midwest during the 1990s. About 30 years ago, in mid-July 1995, a massive heat dome of high pressure settled over the Midwest, subjecting the region to scorching temperatures for a week straight.
In Chicago, Midway Airport experienced a record seven consecutive days with temperatures soaring into the 90s, from July 10 to July 16, peaking at 106 and 102 degrees on July 13 and 14 respectively. These were the highest temperatures recorded in the Chicagoland area since the Dust Bowl of 1934. Triple-digit heat was also observed across southern Wisconsin.
The heat absorbed by buildings, roads, and parking lots kept nighttime temperatures uncomfortably high. Midway Airport did not fall below 81 degrees from July 13 to 14. Southerly winds added humid air to the mix, leading to dew points in the upper Midwest reaching the upper 70s and 80s, creating stifling humidity by northern U.S. standards. Heat indices soared to as high as 120 to 128 degrees, marking some of the highest values on record in Wisconsin.
The devastating heat wave claimed over 1,000 lives in the Midwest, with at least 465 fatalities in Chicago and 85 in Milwaukee. The majority of victims were elderly city residents without access to air conditioning or concerned about safety risks associated with opening windows at night.
While the heat wave was well predicted, a report from NOAA revealed that many of the deaths could have been prevented. At the time, neither Chicago nor Milwaukee had specific disaster plans in place to address heat emergencies, unlike the plans available for major winter storms or flooding. Today, both cities have implemented programs at the city and county levels to alert and assist residents during heat waves.
