Heat Advisory for Somerville (Extended Through Tuesday 7/8): Take Precautions to Stay Cool and Safe

High heat and humidity is expected in Somerville and the region over the coming days with actual temperatures in the 90s and feels-like temperatures between 95-100 degrees. At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Sunday and Monday (July 6 & 7). Although there is no Heat Advisory in place for Tuesday, July 8, the weather will still be hot. Community members are encouraged to review ways to stay cool and safe as the expected weather conditions can cause heat illness if precautions are not taken. 

 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 also have weekend hours. For hours and locations, visit somervillepubliclibrary.org.  
• Seniors are also welcome to visit Council on Aging Senior Centers on weekdays. For locations, hours, and activity information, visit  somervillema.gov/coa.
• Outdoor Water Features
• Many Somerville city parks have water features that run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The water sprays are on timers and stop for 20 minutes between cycles.
• All splash pads are currently open for 2025.
• Water feature information is available under the “Stay Cool Outside” section of the City’s Keep Cool webpage at somervillema.gov/keepcool.  
• Outdoor Pools
• For more information on Somerville and area pools, visit somervillema.gov/pools.  
• Dilboy Pool’s regular hours are daily 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the public. Early morning lap swim time is Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. More information at somervillema.myrec.com.
• Latta Brothers Memorial Pool at Foss Park is open daily 11:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. More information at mass.gov/topics/swimming.
• Spray deck at Latta is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Admission to both pools is free.
• With public transportation, you can also visit nearby communities. See other regional pools at somervillema.gov/pools. 

Heat Safety Tips 

Heat safety tips are below. Tips are also available in multiple languages at somervillema.gov/keepcool. 

Top 5 Heat Safety Tips:   

1. Never leave children or pets alone in a car or other vehicle, even for a quick errand and even if the windows are open. 
2. Limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours. Avoid strenuous activity during the hottest part of the day, which is typically 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
3. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated or very sugary drinks. 
4. Reduce time spent in direct sun and practice sun safety by wearing sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.  
5. 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. 

Take Care of Yourself and Others:   

• Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.   
• Take frequent breaks in the shade if you are working outdoors. 
• If you are walking, running, cycling, wheeling, or doing other outdoor exercise during hot weather, have water with you, seek a shady area or route, and pace yourself. Be sure to take a break if you start to feel overheated.
• If playground equipment is hot to the touch, it is too hot for a child’s skin.
• Learn to recognize the signs of heat-related illness and how to respond. Lots of sweating and muscle cramps may be the first signs of a heat illness. Visit mass.gov/extreme-heat to find more information on preventing and treating heat-related illness.  
• Check on those who don’t have air conditioning or who are more likely to be affected by heat. These groups may include older adults, infants and children, people with chronic medical conditions, and people who are pregnant.  
• If you see someone out in the heat who appears immobile or disoriented, call 911 so they can receive the necessary help.   

Tips For Pet Parents:   

• Don’t leave pets outside in hot weather for long periods of time. Keep walks on hot days short.
• Provide plenty of fresh, clean water. If outside, leave the water in a shady area.  
• Keep an eye on pets and watch for signs of discomfort on hot days. Warning signs of overheating may include excessive panting or drooling, and labored breathing. Animals with flat faces, older pets, and pets with health conditions may be more prone to overheating. 

Sign up for City Alerts:   

Community members are encouraged to sign up for City Alerts to receive timely information about emergencies and other important community news. You can choose to receive alerts either by email, phone, text, or all three in multiple languages. You can update your alert preferences at any time. Visit somervillema.gov/alerts.