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

MEDFORD, 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 Medford 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 Medford:

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Light south wind becoming southwest 5 to 9 mph in the morning. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 75. Southwest wind 7 to 9 mph.

Thursday: Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. Heat index values as high as 106. Southwest wind 8 to 10 mph.

Thursday Night: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms between 9pm and 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 78. Southwest wind 5 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Friday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. 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 75. Southwest wind around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20 percent.

Where to cool off

Cooling centers will be open in Medford from Wednesday, Aug. 11 to Friday, Aug. 13. The centers will be open to all residents and will offer air conditioning and water for those in need.

Cooling center locations:

• Medford Police Department Community Room, 100 Main Street, from 9am – 6pm
• Engine 5 Fire Station Community Room, 0 Medford Street, 9am – 6pm
• City Council Chambers at City Hall, 85 George P. Hassett Drive, 8:30am – 4:30pm Wednesday and Thursday, and 8:30am-12:30pm on Friday.
• Senior Center, 101 Riverside Ave, 9am – 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am – 4pm on Friday.
• Medford Public Library, 200 Boston Ave., Suite G-350, 9am-9pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am-6pm on Friday.
• West Medford Community Center, 111 Arlington Street, 10am – 6pm on Wednesday and Thursday, and 9am – 4pm on Friday.

Tufts Pool

Click HERE to purchase a Tufts Pool Membership.

Individual Membership:
Resident: $30
Non-Resident: $60

Family Membership (within your household):
Resident: $80
Non-Resident: $135

Daily Fee:
Resident Adult: $4
Resident Child: $2
Non-Resident Adult: $8
Non-Resident Child: $4

Click here to view this week's pool schedule, which includes Open Swim times.

Wright's Pond

Season hours:

Monday-Sunday 10am-30 min before dusk

Snack Shack: Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm

When purchasing a season pass, you will need to provide proof of residency. Please provide your driver license or Massachusetts ID with a Medford address. If you purchase your pass on-line, please show proof of residency on your first visit. If you have recently moved to Medford, you may show a current utility bill that is in your name.

Pass Options:

Vehicle Sticker (per vehicle): $50 ($30 for vehicles with handicap placards and for seniors 62 and older). Please note: Only one car load of visitors per day is allowed.

Walk-In Pass (admits 1-3 people): $20

How to Purchase a Pond Pass:

Online - If you do not have a household account to log into the Medford Recreation website, please create one. Once your account has been approved (please allow up to 48 hours), you will receive an email confirmation and can log in to purchase a pass. Please print out your receipt or save the email confirmation. On your first visit to the pond, show the Front Desk your receipt along with proof of residency. Recreation Staff members will issue you the vehicle pass or key tag.

Click HERE to purchase a pass online.

Passes are also sold on-site at the Snack Shack during operational hours.