Dangerous heat is hitting the Milwaukee area.
The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for southeastern Wisconsin, from noon Tuesday, July 14 through 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. During that time, the heat index value – also known as the “feels like” temperature, which takes humidity into account – may get as high as 102 degrees.
The counties under the advisory will be Milwaukee, Marquette, Green Lake, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, Iowa, Dane, Jefferson, Waukesha, Lafayette, Green, Rock, Walkworth, Racine and Kenosha.
Northern parts of Wisconsin have been under a heat advisory since Monday, July 13. In far northeast parts of the state, the heat index value may climb as high as 105 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
Milwaukee saw its highest actual temperature of 2026 so far on Monday, July 13, when the National Weather Service’s equipment at Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport recorded 96 degrees. There’s a chance that temperature may be beat Tuesday, as it may get as warm as 98 degrees, said Kevin Wagner, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Milwaukee/Sullivan.
The average high temperature in Milwaukee for this time of year, Wagner said, is around 82 degrees, and the average low is around 65 degrees. Milwaukee had already surpassed that high temperature by around 9 a.m. July 14.
How to stay cool during heat advisories
With that type of heat comes some dangers.
The Milwaukee Health Department has information about heat-related illness on its website. The department advises people to look out for symptoms like dizziness, extreme thirst, heavy sweating, nausea and weakness, which can indicate heat exhaustion. If feeling those symptoms, people are advised to quickly move to a cooler area, loosen clothing, sip cool water and seek medical help if the symptoms do not improve.
If a person’s symptoms get worse, leading to confusion, severe dizziness and loss of consciousness, it may indicate heat stroke and people are advised to call 911 for immediate medical attention.
People who may be at particular risk for heat-related illness include babies and young children, people aged 65 and older, people who are overweight, people with chronic illnesses – particularly heart and lung conditions, and those taking certain medications – and people who work outdoors and in hot settings.
The National Weather Service advises people to check in on neighbors and relatives, especially those who live alone.
Wagner advised people to take the heat advisory seriously.
“Stay cool, stay hydrated, and if you’re working outside, take frequent breaks and rest up,” he said.
For those without easy access to air conditioning, a map of cooling sites in Milwaukee can be found on the city’s website at city.milwaukee.gov/Health/Cooling-Sites.
Due to the heat, Milwaukee Public Schools canceled its Extended Learning Opportunities and indoor and outdoor Milwaukee Recreation summer programs July 14 and 15.
The swelter temporarily knocked The Hop street car out of service to the Milwaukee Intermodal Station the morning of July 14 due to heat-related infrastructure issues with the St. Paul Bridge. The street car was back up and running by 8:15 a.m., according to the Milwaukee Department of Public Works.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at (920) 213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Dangerous heat hitting Milwaukee, with ‘feels like’ temperatures over 100
Reporting by Kelli Arseneau, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Kelli Arseneau, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
