Without fail, construction crews cycling through a Northwest Side coffee shop early Thursday pointed to coolers filled with ice and water when asked how they planned to weather the heat expected to descend on Chicago.
Afternoon temperatures Thursday were expected to climb into the low 90s, with heat indexes — or how the temperature will actually feel when factoring in humidity — hovering around 100 degrees, National Weather Service meteorologist Amy Seeley said.
And the heat is sticking around. Friday’s temperatures will be even higher.
David Gutierrez, 25, felt fortunate his roofing gig — which includes using a torch to apply the final layer — would wrap up before peak temperatures set in after lunch.
“We didn’t plan it that way. Just got lucky,” he said. “That torch adds at least another 30 degrees.”
Martin Delgado, 33, who planned to spend part of his day on rooftops installing cable television equipment, was resigned to sweating and maintain a positive attitude.
”You can’t do nothing about it, you know?” said Delgado.
Gabriel Salas, 18, gathered at a job site across the street from the Dunkin’ at Belmont and Sacramento avenues with other workers clad in jeans and steel-toe boots.
“Not the best clothes in the heat, but safety first,” he said.
