Local News
With humidity, temperatures will feel like 100 to 110 degrees on Monday and Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu declared a heat emergency Sunday through Tuesday, with temperatures forecast to reach 95 degrees and hotter during the summer’s first heat wave, the city announced.
“Be sure to stay hydrated, take breaks from working outside and regularly check in on neighbors, friends, and family,” Wu said in a statement Saturday.
Most of the state is under an Extreme Heat Warning, according to the National Weather Service. With humidity, temperatures on Sunday felt like 90 to 100 degrees, and are like to feel like 100 to 110 degrees on Monday and Tuesday. The warning remains in effect through Tuesday evening.
Boston’s heat emergency threshold is met when two or more days have a heat index of 95 degrees or higher for two or more hours of the day, according to the city.
To seek relief from the heat, the City of Boston is pointing residents to neighborhood splash pads, city pools, and some community centers are open as Cooling Centers. The community centers will be open during their regular hours on Monday and Tuesday, the city said. Boston Public Library locations are also open for all residents.
‘Hot weather can sneak up on us’
Heat can be dangerous, and Boston Emergency Medical Services typically see a 10 to 15 percent increase in 911 calls for people of all ages during heat waves, the city said. Safety tips include staying hydrated, avoiding sugary and caffeinated drinks, taking breaks in the shade or air conditioning, and wearing sunscreen.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cool and clammy skin, dizziness, nausea, and muscle aches. Call 911 if symptoms persist, the City of Boston said in the statement.
“Extreme heat can pose significant health risks to individuals,” said Adrian Jordan, the chief of emergency preparedness. “It is important that we all take the necessary steps to protect ourselves and look out for our neighbors.”
For residents experiencing homelessness, the Boston Public Health Commission is running emergency shelters that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the city said. The men’s shelter is at 112 Southampton St. near the South End, and the women’s shelter is at 794 Massachusetts Ave.
Governor Maura Healey released similar guidelines in response to the NSW’s Extreme Heat Warning. Her office recommended the state’s 79 waterfronts, 24 swimming pools, and 20 spray decks to visit during the summer’s first heat wave.
“Hot weather can sneak up on us, especially after a cool and rainy spring, but planning ahead is essential,” Healey said in a statement. “We encourage people to cool off at DCR’s waterfronts, beaches and splash decks, or check out the cooling centers near where you live.”
Temperatures are expected to cool off by Wednesday, and rain later this week will bring temperatures down even more to the 60s and 70s, according to the NWS forecast.
Sign up for the Today newsletter
Get everything you need to know to start your day, delivered right to your inbox every morning.