Melrose Braces For Another Possible Heat Wave

MELROSE, MA - Hot and humid temperatures are forecast to return to Melrose this week, potentially plunging the region back into a heat wave just a matter of weeks after scorching temperatures last month.

On Wednesday, city officials highlighted available cooling options in anticipation of heat index values that could top 100 degrees on Thursday, according to Accuweather.

Those are listed as follows:

• Lawrence W. Lloyd Memorial Swimming Pool: 49 Tremont Street: 11:15 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

• Melrose YMCA Pool (membership required): 497 Main Street: See pool schedule

• Melrose Public Library: 69 West Emerson Street: Monday - Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Milano Senior Center: 201 West Foster Street: Monday - Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The Melrose Library will allow patrons spending an extended period of time utilizing its facility as a cooling center on Thursday and Friday to bring “reasonably mess-free, odor-free food that does not require heating or refrigeration,” the city said on Wednesday.

Patrons should check with library staff for an appropriate location to eat. There is a water fountain in the library and covered beverages are also allowed.

Outside of Melrose, the town of Wakefield also designated its library as a cooling center on Wednesday. Melrose community members can visit there as another air-conditioned option, the city noted.

The Lucius Beebe Memorial Library in Wakefield will be open on Thursday and Friday as well as through the weekend, with Saturday hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Regionally, a heat advisory from the National Weather Service is set to take effect on Thursday morning at 11 a.m. Hot weather is then forecast to linger through the weekend.

State officials at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, meanwhile, are offering tips to stay safe during extreme heat. Among those, individuals should ensure that they stay hydrated while avoiding strenuous activity if possible.

Heat waves have been linked to spikes in emergency calls in the past. Recently, Boston Emergency Medical Services noted a 20% increase over average daily calls between July 19 and July 25 of this year while high temperatures gripped the region.

Boston EMS responded to at least 80 directly heat-related calls during that span, according to the agency.