116 3rd St SE
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401
Heat wave brings ‘favorable’ odds that new high temperature records will be set
Cooling centers open to provide relief from the heat
Aug. 26, 2024 1:37 pm, Updated: Aug. 27, 2024 7:36 am
The National Weather Service is warning of “dangerously hot conditions” to start this week, prompting emergency management agencies to open cooling centers and some schools to dismiss classes early.
Forecasts show the heat will dissipate by the weekend, when temperatures will return to normal for late August.
The National Weather Service issued an excessive heat warning through 8 p.m. Monday, warning that heat index values could top out at 115 degrees. Tuesday will bring an excessive heat watch, with “dangerously hot conditions” and heat index values between 100 and 115.
Cory Martin, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service said the heat will start to “fade out gradually“ around Wednesday, bringing temperatures back down to typical values. Martin said at this time of the year daily high temperatures are usually around 80 degrees.
“Today we’re looking at widespread 90s to 100 degrees,” Martin said of the air temperature on Monday.
Record temperatures may be set this week
Justin Schultz, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Quad Cities bureau, said Monday the odds are “favorable” that standing high temperature records in parts of Eastern Iowa will be broken this week.
The record high temperature in Cedar Rapids on Aug. 26 is 97 degrees, set in 1924. The record high for Aug. 27 also is 97, set in 1995. The National Weather Service was predicting a high temperature of 97 degrees on Monday, and 94 degrees on Tuesday.
How many days have been above 90 in Iowa this year?
The Quad Cities typically sees 10-18 days of 90-plus degree weather each year, said TJ Gunkel, a meteorologist with the Weather Forecast Office in Davenport.
Gunkel said so far in 2024, there have been about 10 days when the temperature has reached 90 degrees or higher in Cedar Rapids. He called it “quite close to climatology.”
How to stay safe, save energy
Schutlz said the key to staying safe during the heat wave is to limit time outdoors when possible, wear loose-fitting clothing and drink fluids to stay hydrated, even if you’re not thirsty.
“We also tell people to check on their neighbors, especially if you have elderly neighbors that may not handle the heat as well,” Schultz said. “Make sure that everybody's OK.”
Alliant Energy spokesperson Morgan Hawk said the company advises customers to save energy by setting the thermostat “as high as possible” while still keeping the space comfortable. Customers also can save energy by closing shades, using ceiling fans, unplugging unused electronics, limiting TV use as background noise, changing out the air conditioner’s filter to improve air quality, and sealing windows and doors to keep cool air inside.
Hawk said Alliant has sufficient resources available to deliver energy to customers, even during extreme heat.
“We design, engineer and construct our facilities to address weather conditions,” Hawk said. “Our crews are prepared to respond to any issues that may arise.“
Cooling centers in Linn County
The following locations are designated as heat relief locations, facilities where people can temporarily go during periods of extreme temperatures to get out of dangerous weather conditions.
- Cedar Rapids Lindale Mall, 4444 First Ave. NE., open Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, 450 Fifth Ave SE., open Monday–Thursdays 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Ladd Library, 3750 Williams Blvd. SW, open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Salvation Army, 1000 C Ave. NW., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Cedar Rapids Cedar Valley Community Support Services, 2515 18th Street SW Suite A, open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Center Point Community Center, 720 Main St., open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday from 1 p.m.–8 p.m., Tuesday 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Central City City Hall, 137 Fourth St., open Monday–Friday 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Coggon Public Library, 216 E. Main St., open Tuesday 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Wednesday & Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Ely Community Center/City Hall, 1570 Rowley St., open Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
- Ely Public Library, 1595 Dows St., open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Ely St. John Lutheran Church, 1420 Walker St., open Tuesday–Thursday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Fairfax City Hall, 308 80th Street Ct., open Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Fairfax Public Library, 313 Vanderbilt St., open Monday–Tuesday 12 p.m.–7 p.m., Wednesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.
- Hiawatha City Hall, 101 Emmons St. Monday–Friday 7:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Hiawatha Library, 150 W. Willman St., open Monday–Thursday 9 a.m.–8 p.m.
- Lisbon City Hall, 115 N. Washington, open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Marion City Hall Lobby, 1225 Sixth Ave., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Marion Lowe Park Arts & Environment Center, 4500 N. 10th St., open Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Marion Thomas Park Safe Room, 343 Marion Blvd., open Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Marion Police Department Lobby, 6315 Hwy. 151, open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Marion Public Library, 1101 Sixth Ave. Monday–Thursday 9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
- Mt. Vernon/ Lisbon Police Station, 380 Old Lincoln Highway open, Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Mt. Vernon Lester Buresh Center, 855 Palisades Rd., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
- Palo Community Center, 2800 Hollenbeck Rd., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
- Robins Community Room, 265 S. Second St., open Monday, Wednesday, Friday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Tuesday & Thursday 8 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Springville Community Room & Library, 264 Broadway, open Monday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
- Springville United Methodist Church, 169 Broadway, open Monday–Wednesday 8 a.m.–1 p.m.
- Walker Community Room, 204 Green St., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Walker North Pavilion, 398 Park St., open Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
- Walford Community Room, 120 Fifth St. N., open Monday–Friday 7 a.m.–3 p.m.
Cooling centers in Johnson County
The following locations can be used by the public for relief from the heat.
- The Senior Center, 28 S Linn St., Iowa City
- Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, 220 S. Gilbert St., Iowa City
- Mercer Aquatic Center and Scanlon Gym, 2701 Bradford Dr., Iowa City
- Iowa City Public Library, 123 S Linn St., Iowa City
- Coralville Recreation Center, 1506 Eighth St., Coralville
- Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., Coralville
- North Liberty Public Library, 520 W. Cherry St., North Liberty
- North Liberty Community Center, 520 W. Cherry St., North Liberty
Olivia Cohen covers energy and environment for The Gazette and is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues.
Comments: (319) 398-8370; olivia.cohen@thegazette.com
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