Malden Heat Wave: How Hot It Will Get, Where To Cool Off

MALDEN, MA — This could be the hottest stretch of 2021 so far.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday issued a heat advisory for most of southern New England, predicting that temperatures will likely exceed 100 degrees in most of central and eastern parts of Massachusetts. The heat advisory begins at 11 a.m. Wednesday, and will be followed by an excessive heat watch on Thursday morning.

The Malden area could see the heat index reach well above 100 degrees on Thursday, which is expected to be the hottest day of the week — although Wednesday, Friday and Saturday may also feel at or near 100 degrees, according to the weather service.

This week's heat wave follows a record-setting stretch of heat at the end of June, when heat indices reached the low 100s. The weather service is cautioning residents to avoid strenuous outdoor activity and to drink plenty of fluids.

Here is the National Weather Service's heat wave forecast for Malden:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind around 7 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 77. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 97. Heat index values as high as 105. Southwest wind around 9 mph.

Thursday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 76. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 96. Southwest wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30 percent.

Friday night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Partly cloudy, with a low around 74. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Where to cool off

The Senior Center at 7 Washington Street will be open Wednesday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for those who are in need of a cooling center.

Cooling stations will also be open at the following dates and times: