Okay, so it's hot. Really hot. Don't-screw-around-with-the-heat-or-you-could-have-a-big-problem hot. So hot that cities that care about their community's well-being are doing something about it.

We're staring down 100-plus degree temperatures, and we've got a heat advisory through at least 8pm tomorrow night, so cooling centers are going to be lifesavers, and Rockford, Loves Park, and Belvidere have them.

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Looking cool, Carl! (Getty Images)
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Comfort shoes for the rich and famous
Let's hope that her shoe is melting, not a dog with an upset stomach. (Getty Images)
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In All Seriousness, This Kind Of Heat Can Quickly Become Deadly, So Share The Information With Someone Who Might Need It

Just last year, a record-breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest killed over 200 people in the U.S. and nearly 300 in Canada, so we know that providing relief from crazy hot conditions can and does save lives.

To prevent fatality numbers like that from happening here, cooling centers open up when there's a warning or excessive heat advisory issued by the National Weather Service.

outside thermometer showing high temperature
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Here Are The Cooling Centers Currently Operating In Winnebago And Boone Counties

Like I said, even if you don't need a cooling center, there are plenty of people who do, so sharing information is key here.

From The City of Rockford:

Winnebago County Sites

  • The Carpenter’s Place, 1149 Railroad Ave. Rockford, 8:15 to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Rockford Rescue Mission, 715 W. State Rockford, 8 to 5 p.m., seven days a week; Open 24 hours for persons needing overnight shelter.
  • City of Rockford Health and Human Services Department, 612 N. Church St. Rockford, 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
  • Loves Park City Hall (gymnasium), 100 Heart Blvd. Loves Park, 8 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Boone County Sites

  • Belvidere Public Safety Building, 615 N. Main St. Belvidere, 8 to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Area State Authorized Sites

  • Belvidere Oasis/Illinois Tollway, East of Belvidere Toll Plaza on I-90, open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

LOOK: The most extreme temperatures in the history of every state

Stacker consulted 2021 data from the NOAA's State Climate Extremes Committee (SCEC) to illustrate the hottest and coldest temperatures ever recorded in each state. Each slide also reveals the all-time highest 24-hour precipitation record and all-time highest 24-hour snowfall.

Keep reading to find out individual state records in alphabetical order.

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...

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