ILLINOIS (NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE) — People in our region may want to start preparing now for a dangerous turn in the weather later this week.

According to the National Weather Service, there are signs that a major heat wave will grip the region starting on Wednesday and then intensify into the weekend.

This would be the hottest weather thus far this summer and could last beyond next weekend.

Dangerous levels of heat look quite likely, with heat index values between 100 – 110° are forecast for the late morning through the early evening hours.

Heat index values in urban and inner city areas may exceed 110°.