WHEELING — According to Pittsburgh National Weather Service Meteorologist Chris Leonardi, one of the “most oppressive” heat waves in the city’s history will occur next week due to the combination of the hot spell’s high temperatures and long duration.

Leonardi outlined that the city will begin to heat up this Sunday, with a forecasted high of 91 degrees. Temperatures will remain high through next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with predicted highs of 97 degrees, 98 degrees and 97 degrees, respectively.

Temperatures in the city next Monday through Wednesday may reach record-breaking numbers if predicted highs are met or exceeded, noted Leonardi. The current all-time high temperature for June 17 in Wheeling is 99 degrees, set in 1936. The record-high for June 18 of 95 degrees was set in 1944, and the record-high for June 19 of 95 degrees was set in 1933.

Apart from possible record-breaking high temperatures, Leonardi explained this will be one of the longest stretches of heat the city has seen in “at least the last several years.”

Though the National Weather Service only had predicted temperatures through next Wednesday as of this Thursday, Leonardi added that residents should expect high temperatures for the entirety of next week.

“People should get ready for something that they probably haven’t experienced for at least the last few years as far as the levels and the extent of the heat,” the meteorologist noted.

In addition to the heat, residents should expect humidity, with dew points increasing from the mid-60s to the upper 60s on Tuesday and Wednesday. Leonardi explained that when dew points reach the upper 60s, the air begins to “feel sticky for many folks.”

The combination of high temperatures and high humidity will create heat indexes in the middle of the days of next week “at least” in the upper 90s to low 100s, according to Leonardi.

“There’s a chance that temperatures might go even higher than that, so Monday through Wednesday, each day is going to be oppressively hot,” noted Leonardi. “We have pretty good confidence that this heat wave will last even beyond the end of next week, too, so we’re looking at a fairly lengthy heat wave with little relief in the near-term forecast.”

According to Leonardi, the heat will be most oppressive from late morning to midday into the early evening hours. This is when the sun will be “the most intense,” resulting in the highest temperatures. There is a low chance of rain cooling down the city, as the meteorologist predicted “very isolated” shower and thunderstorm chances next week.

With little relief expected weather-wise from the impending heat wave, Leonardi advises residents to find relief in air-conditioned buildings if they don’t have air conditioning at home.

“Try to spend the hottest part of the day in a theater, mall or somewhere air-conditioned you can spend a little time in,” said Leonardi. “If you must be outdoors, don’t exert yourself, hydrate frequently, and try to stay in as much shade as possible.”

Leonardi noted that one should also check in on elderly neighbors or relatives who do not have air conditioning, as the heat could impact them more. He also added to “not forget about pets” and ensure they have plenty of water available, as “pets cannot stand the heat just as much as humans.”

To help beat the heat, the Salvation Army will open a cooling shelter at its Wheeling office on 140 16th Street next Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The office will provide air conditioning in addition to a large jug of ice water and light snacks for those who need to cool down.

Lieutenant John Lawrence noted that it is “imperative” for those without dependable shelter to have a place to escape the heat.

“We want to make sure that everyone in the community has a safe place to cool off and escape what appears to be an extremely hot week, no matter what their housing situation is,” said Lawrence.

Ohio County Emergency Management Agency Director Lou Vargo says the agency will also set up cooling stations next week “if the need arises.” The location of the cooling shelters will depend on which areas of the city need one.

According to the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, extreme heat is the top killer among weather-related fatalities, with Vargo stressing the importance of residents knowing the signs of heat exhaustion and sunstroke.

The most prominent sign of heat exhaustion and sunstroke is losing the ability to cool one’s body, which means one is no longer able to sweat. Other symptoms include one’s body becoming red and changes in one’s consciousness level.

If one begins to recognize these symptoms in themselves or someone else, Vargo advises them to call 911.

“EMS has the mechanism to help cool the patient and get them to the hospital,” noted Vargo. “Once they’re at the hospital, we can get IV fluids into them and help their body cool again.”

Vargo also advises residents to minimize their time outside. If they have to do activities such as cutting the grass, he noted, they should do this in the evening. Another precaution Vargo said they should take is drinking “plenty of liquids” and sticking to swimming pools or cooler places like “malls or the movies” to stay out of the heat.