First multi-day period of hot temperatures this year; feels-like temperatures up to 96 degrees expected

The first days of high heat this season are expected in Somerville this week. At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Tuesday and Wednesday, May 19-20, with feels-like temperatures up to 96 degrees. 

Staying Cool in Somerville

Air-Conditioned City Buildings: 

• • If you don’t have air conditioning, you can seek relief from the heat in air-conditioned City buildings.

  • Anyone is welcome to visit the Somerville Public Libraries during their regular hours, some of which are also open Saturday and/or Sunday. For locations and hours, visit somervillepubliclibrary.org.

  • Seniors are also welcome to visit Council on Aging Senior Centers, which offer a wide range of activities on weekdays. For locations, hours, and activity information, visit somervillema.gov/coa.

Please note: drinking fountains are ready for use, but splash pads at City parks are not ready for use yet. The Department of Public Works team is working diligently to turn on several splash pads earlier than usual, before Memorial Day, and all of them as soon as possible after Memorial Day.  Dilboy Pool and Latta Brothers Pool typically open in June.

Opening dates and hours will be shared on:
somervillema.gov/keepcool and somervillema.gov/pools when they are available, as well as on the City’s social media pages.

Safety Tips

Heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in and around Somerville are below. Safety tips are also available in multiple languages on the City’s website at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

Top 5 Heat Safety Tips:

Never leave children or pets unattended in a car or other vehicle, even for a quick errand and even if the windows are open.  

1. Stay indoors as much as possible during high heat. Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours, avoid direct sunlight, and rest often in shady areas.

2. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated or very sugary drinks.

3. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.

4. Stay informed: Follow City social media pages and contact 311 for the latest information on places you can visit to cool off.  More information at somervillema.gov/socialmedia and somervillema.gov/311.

Be a Good Neighbor:  

Check on relatives, friends, and neighbors who don’t have air conditioning or who are more likely to be affected by the heat. These groups may include older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who are pregnant.

If you see anyone out in the heat who appears immobile or disoriented, call 911 so they can receive the necessary help.

Learn to Recognize Signs and Symptoms of Heat Illnesses:  

Heat stroke  

If someone is showing signs of heat stroke call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is a medical emergency. Signs of heat stroke include a body temperature over 103°F; hot, red skin; a fast pulse; nausea; headache, dizziness or confusion; and possible unconsciousness.

While waiting for help to arrive, move the person to a cool area and cool them down with cool wet towels or a cool bath. DON’T give them fluids.

Heat exhaustion  

Look for: heavy sweating; cold, pale, and clammy skin; a fast or weak pulse; nausea or vomiting; muscle cramps; tiredness or weakness; dizziness; headache

Move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, cool down with cool wet towels or a cool bath, and sip water. Get medical help if you are vomiting, your symptoms get worse, or your symptoms last longer than one hour.

Heat cramps  

Look for: lots of sweating, muscle cramps or spasms

Stop physical activity, move to a cool place, and drink water or a sports drink. Get medical help if cramps last longer than one hour, your symptoms get worse, you’re on a low-sodium diet, or you have heart problems.

The above information is general guidance. When in doubt, move to a cooler place and get medical help right away.

Tips For Pet Parents:  

Never leave your pet in your car or vehicle, even if the windows are open.

Don’t leave pets outside for long periods of time.

Provide plenty of fresh water and, if outside, leave the water in a shady area.

Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt.

Know the symptoms of overheating in pets, which include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor, or collapse.

Animals with flat faces, like Pugs and Persian cats, are more prone to heat stroke. These pets, and pets that are older, overweight, or have heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible.

Other Ways to Stay Cool:

With public transportation, you can also visit nearby communities that offer water features or pools. Please note that some water features or pools may not be open yet for the 2026 season. Please contact those communities directly for the most updated information.

• Visit cambridgema.gov/cdd/parks/waterplaymap for a Waterplay Map and cambridgema.gov/Services/recpoolsandswimming for pools in Cambridge.

• Visit the Parks and Fields page on arlingtonma.gov
• Visit boston.gov/heat for places to stay cool, pools, and splash pads
• Visit the Recreation Page on medfordma.org
• Visit mass.gov/swimming for a list of state-managed Swimming Pools, Wading Pools and Spray Decks

During hot weather, more people cool off in and around bodies of water. Learn how to keep yourself and others safe in and around water by reviewing Water Safety tips provided by the Commonwealth at mass.gov/water-safety.

-City of Somerville