Heat Advisory for Somerville Thursday and Friday, June 11-12: Take Precautions to Stay Safe and Cool  

High heat and humidity are expected in Somerville and the region over the coming days with feels-like temperatures up to 98 degrees. At this time, the National Weather Service has issued a Heat Advisory for Thursday and Friday, June 11-12. Community members are encouraged to review ways to stay cool, healthy, and safe. The forecasted conditions can cause heat illness if proper 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 are also open Saturday and/or Sunday. For locations and hours, visit org.  
• Seniors are also welcome to visit Council on Aging Senior Centers on weekdays. For locations, hours, and activity information, visit gov/coa. 
• Outdoor Water Features 
• All City splash pads are currently open with the exception of Lincoln Park.
• Many Somerville city parks and playgrounds 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.  
• Find a water feature: Water feature information is available in multiple languages under the “Stay Cool Outside” section of the City’s Keep Cool webpage at gov/keepcool. 
• Spray decks at Dilboy Pool andLatta Brothers Memorial Pool at Foss Park are open from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. Pools are not open at this time. 

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:  

1. Never leave children or pets unattended in a caror other vehicle, even for a quick errand and even if the windows are open.  
2. 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. 
3. Drink plenty of water. Avoid alcohol and caffeinated or very sugary drinks. 
4. Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.   
5. Stay informed: Follow City social media pagesand contact 311 for any updates on the advisory or 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. If in doubt about whether to call 911, always call. 

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 check for information from those communities 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.   

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should contact the ADA Coordinator in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or ADA@somervillema.gov. 

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.