PROVIDENCE – The National Weather Service is warning of health hazards as potentially record-breaking heat moves into the region delivering a possible heat wave to the Providence area.
A heat advisory goes into for the northern half of Rhode Island and much of Southern New England from noon Tuesday until 7 p.m. Friday.
The weather service is forecasting highs of 89 Tuesday, 93 Wednesday, 95 Thursday and 93 Friday. The weather service defines a heat wave as three or more consecutive days when the temperature reaches 90 or higher.
"Dangerous heat and humidity arrives on Tuesday and peaks Wednesday through Friday," the weather service says in its forecast discussion. "Near to record breaking high temperatures are possible [in the] afternoon."
How to stay safe in the heat
The combination of heat and humidity could make it feel like 96 to 106 away from the coast.
"Hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses," the weather service says. Nighttime won't bring much relief as the heat indexes will drop only into the 70s.
"Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors," the weather service says.
What RI heat records could fall?
Records that could fall this week include the highest temperature for the month of June, which is 98 degrees and was reached once in June 1943 and twice in June 1945, according to the weather service.
Daily records could also fall Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The record for Wednesday's date, June 19, is 94 degrees, set in 1923; Thursday, June 20, is 95, set in 1941, and Friday, June 21, is 96, also set in 1941, according to weather service records.
If the temperature breaks 100 this week, it will be the first time that has happened in Providence since July 28, 2020, according to the weather service.
Providence opens cooling centers, splash pads
Due to extreme heat expected this week, city splashpads and water parks will open two weeksearly and cooling centers will be activated.
Splashpads and water parks will be openfrom4 to 7p.m.on Tuesday, June 18, Thursday, June 20 and Friday, June 21 andnoon to 7 p.m.on Wednesday, June 19, according to a news release from the city.
Cooling centers will be available and open from Tuesday through Friday.But only the following libraries will be open as cooling centers on Wednesday, June 19, due to the Juneteenth holiday:
- Olneyville Library:1 Olneyville Square, 401-421-4084; Wednesday: 11:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
- South Providence Library:441 Prairie Avenue, 401-467-2619; Wednesday: 11:30 a.m.– 5:30 p.m.
The following cooling centers will be opened at their respective hours through the week:
EMERGENCY COOLING CENTERS:
Emmanuel House:239 Public St, 401-421-7888; Tuesday-Saturday: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Federal Hill House:9 Courtland Street; Tuesday-Friday: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Providence Rescue Mission: 627 Cranston St.; Open 24/7 during high heat conditions
Crossroads: 160 Broad St.; Open 24/7 during high heat conditions
Libraries serving as cooling centers
Residents may seek shelter from the heat at the following Providence Community Library Branches and at the Providence Public Library:
Mt. Pleasant Library:315 Academy Ave., 401-272-0106
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 8pm
- Thursday: 9:30am – 8pm
- Friday: 1pm – 5:30pm
- Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Olneyville Library:1 Olneyville Square, 401-421-4084
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Friday: 1pm – 5:30pm
Providence Public Library:150 Empire St., 401-455-8000
- Tuesday: 8:30am –7pm
- Thursday: 1pm –5pm
- Friday: 10am –5pm
- Saturday: 8:30am – 4pm
Rochambeau Library:708 Hope St., 401-272-3780
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 8pm
- Thursday: 9:30am – 8:pm
- Friday: 1pm –5:30pm
- Saturday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Smith Hill Library:31 Candace St., 401-272-4140
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Friday:1pm-5:30pm
South Providence Library:441 Prairie Ave., 401-467-2619
- Tuesday: 1pm– 8pm
- Thursday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Friday:1pm – 5:30pm
Wanskuck Library:233 Veazie St., 401-274-4145
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Thursday: 1 pm – 8 pm
- Friday: 1 pm – 5:30pm
Washington Park Library:1316 Broad St., 401-781-3136
- Tuesday: 9:30am – 5:30pm
- Thursday: 1pm – 8pm
- Friday: 1pm – 5:30pm
Anyone wishing to utilize free cooling-center services should follow the belowprocedures and guidelines:
- Only certified service animals with documentation of status paperwork will be permitted inside cooling centers. No other pets will be allowed inside the facility.
- Free bottled water will be available at all cooling centers.
Extreme heat safety tips
- Stay indoors as much as possible and limit exposure to the sun.
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty; avoid drinks with caffeine.
- Limit your outdoor activities to the evening hours if possible.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing that is light in color; wear brimmed hats and sunscreen SPF 15 or higher.
- Use a buddy system when working outdoors and take frequent breaks to cool down.
- Check on your neighbors, especially the elderly and people with special needs.
- Do not leave children or pets in cars.
- Do not open fire hydrants to cool down, it is against the law; report any open fire hydrant to the fire department.
- Recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related emergencies.
For more information, visit the City of Providence’swebsite.
