Preparations for ‘dangerously’ high temps through tomorrow
Officials are urging people to take precautions and dismissing some schools early this week due to “dangerously” high temperatures forecast for the next few days.
The National Weather Service has issued an excessive-heat warning for Suffolk, Middlesex, Norfolk and Essex counties for today and tomorrow, when temperatures are expected to reach highs in the mid- to upper 90s. The humidity will make it feel as hot as 105, meteorologist Lenore Correia said.
“It’s going to be quite dangerous if you’re exposed to the sun for an excessive amount of time,” Correia said.
Haverhill Public Schools will have early dismissal today and tomorrow, although kindergarten screening appointments will still occur at the scheduled time and place.
Lawrence Public Schools will have early dismissal through Thursday, when highs will dip to the upper 80s, but preschool classes there have been cancelled for the entire week, including Friday, when temperatures will drop to the midto low-70s, a range that will continue through the weekend, Correia said,
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh ordered cooling centers to be open today and tomorrow at all Boston Centers for Youth & Families community centers, and residents can swim for free at city pools during their normal operating hours both days.
BCYF’s two outdoor pools — the Clougherty Pool in Charlestown and the Mirabella Pool in the North End — as well as the city’s family-friendly beach at the Curley Community Center in South Boston, are all open seven days a week through Labor Day. BCYF also operates 16 indoor pools.
Springfield’s 11 cooling centers will remain open through tomorrow, while Worcester’s two “spray” parks — Cristoforo Colombo and Greenwood — will remain open from 12 to 7 p.m. daily through Monday.
Chris Besse, a spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, urged people to check on their family, friends and neighbors, particularly infants, the elderly, the disabled and people who live alone or without air conditioning.
“Take it easy outside,” Besse added. “Try not to exercise during the hottest parts of the day. Stay hydrated. And seek medical attention if necessary.”
Springfield officials also warned people to never leave children or animals in a parked car, where temperatures can reach in excess of 120 degrees within minutes and quickly turn deadly.
Outdoor animals should be brought into a cool place indoors with potable water, officials added, noting that a doghouse does not provide protection from the heat.
This week’s heat wave rivals the highest temperature recorded in Boston so far this year — 98 on July 3 — due to warm air over Bermuda being pushed up to New England, Correia said.