MILWAUKEE - Forecasters aren't expecting relief from the oppressive heat wave in Wisconsin any time soon.
The combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity will last throughout the week.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for much of the state until Thursday.
Afternoon heat indices likely exceeded 105 degrees.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent rest breaks in the shade or air conditioning for those that have to work outside.
Indeed, at least one local construction project, the 4th Avenue and Shopko sanitary sewer work, has been delayed by searing temperatures. The completion date was extended on Monday by four days, to Aug. 5.
The heat index is causing crews to work fewer hours per day, slowing the work, officials said.
It's been even worse in western Oklahoma, where temperatures at 110 or above have been common in recent weeks.
In Enid, asphalt at a major intersection along U.S. Highway 412 buckled last Saturday night from the intense heat.
In Chicago, city officials said a half-dozen cooling centers would remain open this week, as temperatures as high as 105 were forecast in Illinois.
Cooling centers also were open in Detroit to help residents who don't have air conditioning at home. Others were heading toward water for relief, including 65-year-old welder Marcellus Washington, who wore a floppy cloth fishing hat and sunglasses as he walked through a park on the Detroit River that marks the border with Canada.
"A day like this, you can't beat it," Washington said. "It's a heavenly day. It's God's weather."
Meanwhile, with sporadic storms threatening southern Wisconsin Monday night, the northern part of the state continued cleaning up from weekend storms that left thousands in the dark. Wisconsin Public Service on Monday called in extra crews after storms knocked out power to thousands of customers in northern Wisconsin.
As of 4 p.m. Monday about 6,600 customers were still without power. Most of the customers still without power were in the Stevens Point and Rhinelander areas. The utility says some customers may be without power until today.
About 300 people are working in the field to restore service.
The earliest potential relief from the heat isn't expected until later this week, possibly Friday night or Saturday, according to forecasters.
The Green County NWS advisory states that "excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday," when perhaps the hottest conditions are expected
- By the Associated Press. Times staff contributed.
The combination of soaring temperatures and high humidity will last throughout the week.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning for much of the state until Thursday.
Afternoon heat indices likely exceeded 105 degrees.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent rest breaks in the shade or air conditioning for those that have to work outside.
Indeed, at least one local construction project, the 4th Avenue and Shopko sanitary sewer work, has been delayed by searing temperatures. The completion date was extended on Monday by four days, to Aug. 5.
The heat index is causing crews to work fewer hours per day, slowing the work, officials said.
It's been even worse in western Oklahoma, where temperatures at 110 or above have been common in recent weeks.
In Enid, asphalt at a major intersection along U.S. Highway 412 buckled last Saturday night from the intense heat.
In Chicago, city officials said a half-dozen cooling centers would remain open this week, as temperatures as high as 105 were forecast in Illinois.
Cooling centers also were open in Detroit to help residents who don't have air conditioning at home. Others were heading toward water for relief, including 65-year-old welder Marcellus Washington, who wore a floppy cloth fishing hat and sunglasses as he walked through a park on the Detroit River that marks the border with Canada.
"A day like this, you can't beat it," Washington said. "It's a heavenly day. It's God's weather."
Meanwhile, with sporadic storms threatening southern Wisconsin Monday night, the northern part of the state continued cleaning up from weekend storms that left thousands in the dark. Wisconsin Public Service on Monday called in extra crews after storms knocked out power to thousands of customers in northern Wisconsin.
As of 4 p.m. Monday about 6,600 customers were still without power. Most of the customers still without power were in the Stevens Point and Rhinelander areas. The utility says some customers may be without power until today.
About 300 people are working in the field to restore service.
The earliest potential relief from the heat isn't expected until later this week, possibly Friday night or Saturday, according to forecasters.
The Green County NWS advisory states that "excessive heat warning remains in effect until 9 p.m. Thursday," when perhaps the hottest conditions are expected
- By the Associated Press. Times staff contributed.