As a prolonged stretch of dangerous heat grips Central Massachusetts, Worcester is opening cooling centers across the city and taking additional precautions to help residents stay safe during what forecasters say could be one of the hottest periods of the summer.
The city announced that cooling centers open Wednesday through Friday after the National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning covering much of eastern and central Massachusetts through Saturday evening. Forecasters are calling for daytime highs in the upper 90s, with heat index values expected to exceed 100 degrees and, in some areas, reach as high as 112.
To help protect sanitation workers from the extreme conditions, Worcester’s trash collection begins an hour earlier than usual, at 6:30 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
City officials said cooling centers are available at the Worcester Senior Center, Worcester Public Library’s Main Branch and two YMCA of Central Massachusetts locations, with each site providing drinking water for visitors. The Senior Center and Main Branch library operate Wednesday and Thursday, while the YMCA’s Main Street and Greendale branches remain open as cooling centers through Friday, according to the announcement.
All four locations are accessible using the fare-free Worcester Regional Transit Authority bus system, and ADA curb-to-curb transportation also is available.
The National Weather Service warned that the combination of extreme heat and high humidity significantly increase the risk of heat-related illnesses through the Independence Day weekend. The agency urges residents to drink plenty of fluids, spend time in air-conditioned spaces, avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and check on relatives, neighbors and others who may be especially vulnerable to the heat.
The city is offering similar advice, reminding residents that prolonged exposure to high temperatures and humidity can overwhelm the body’s natural cooling systems. Officials encourage people to stay hydrated, limit strenuous outdoor activity and check on neighbors during the heat wave.
According to the latest forecast, Worcester is expected to reach about 94 degrees Wednesday before climbing to around 99 degrees Thursday and Friday. Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid-90s on Independence Day before cooler weather arrives later in the holiday weekend.
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