If you thought summer had been taking it easy on Marblehead, think again.
The town is bracing for its first major heat wave of the season, and forecasters say it won’t just be hot — it’ll be dangerously hot.
The National Weather Service has issued an extreme heat warning for Marblehead from 10 a.m. Wednesday through 8 p.m. Saturday, with heat index values expected to climb between 98 and 112 degrees. Forecasters say Thursday and Friday are shaping up to be the hottest and most humid days of the stretch.
Unlike a typical summer scorcher, this one won’t offer much relief after sunset. Overnight temperatures are expected to remain in the low to mid-70s, making it harder for homes without air conditioning to cool down.
The prolonged heat increases the risk of heat exhaustion, heat stroke and other heat-related illnesses, especially for older adults, young children and people with chronic health conditions.
To help residents stay cool, Marblehead has opened two cooling centers.
The Marblehead Council on Aging, 10 Humphrey St., will serve as a cooling station from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day during the heat wave.
For those needing a place to cool off overnight, an emergency cooling center will be available 24 hours a day at the Brown School. Residents should call 781-631-1212 before arriving so staff can prepare the facility. The center will be staffed as needed, and food will not be provided.
Fire Chief Jason Gilliland also announced a way for kids to beat the heat.
On Thursday, July 2, at 4 p.m., the Marblehead Fire Department will set up a cooling spray in the Council on Aging parking lot, giving children a chance to run through the water while temperatures soar.
The Recreation & Parks Department, which runs several summer camps and programs, said its “summer program staff makes adjustments on hot days to help keep participants safe and comfortable. We spend more time in shaded areas, plan quieter activities during the hottest parts of the day, take frequent water breaks and incorporate cooling activities such as sprinklers and freeze pops,” said the department’s Karla Strobel. “Our staff closely monitor the weather and will continue to make adjustments as needed to keep everyone as comfortable as possible.”
The National Weather Service urges residents to drink plenty of water, spend time in air-conditioned spaces, avoid prolonged periods in the sun and check on neighbors, friends and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the heat.
Officials also recommend never leaving children or pets in parked vehicles, even for a few minutes, as temperatures inside a car can become deadly in a matter of moments.
