City urges caution during weekend mini heat wave; libraries open today as cooling centers

WORCESTER — The city is advising residents to stay cool this weekend following the National Weather Service issuing a heat advisory in the region.

Branches of the Worcester Public Library will be open for folks looking to beat the heat and cool down.

The NWS forecasts that Worcester will see heat index values in the low-to-mid 90s both Saturday and Sunday. Those temperatures would break records for those days during this time of year.

More seasonal temperatures are expected to return Monday.

The air conditioning will be on at the Worcester Public Library's main branch on 3 Salem Square, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, the city said in a release.

More: Not since 1975: Thermometer in Worcester reaches 88 Saturday, a record

In addition, the Goddard Branch of the library on 14 Richards St., as well as the Tatnuck Magnet Branch, 1083 Pleasant St. are both open 9 a.m. to noon Saturday.

The Burncoat Branch, 526 Burncoat St., and the Roosevelt Branch, 1006 Grafton St. are also open 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

City swimming pools and splash pads are not yet open.

The city also recommends drinking plenty of fluids, staying in air-conditioned spaces, taking a cool bath or shower, wearing lightweight clothes, avoiding physically strenuous activity outside, and if you are outdoors, to wear a brimmed hat or ballcap, sunglasses and sunscreen.

Residents are also reminded to never leave people or pets in a parked vehicle, and to watch for the signs of heat stroke such as cramping and exhaustion.

For more information go to cdc.gov/disasters/extremeheat/warning.html

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Officials urge caution during weekend heat wave; Worcester libraries open Saturday as cooling areas