Princeton Opens Cooling Centers Amid Dangerously Hot Temperatures

PRINCETON, NJ - Dangerously hot conditions and an air quality alert have been issued for Mercer County, including Princeton, this week.

Due to the forecast, Princeton has opened several cooling centers across town.

Here are the details:

• Monument Hall - Main Conference Room, 1 Monument Drive, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Witherspoon Hall - Community Room, 400 Witherspoon Street Monday and Tuesday, 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.
• Princeton Public Library, 65 Witherspoon Street, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Center for Modern Aging Princeton, 45 Stockton St. (Suzanne Patterson Bldg.) and 101 Poor Farm Road, Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Seek air-conditioned rooms, limit outdoor activities, continue to hydrate, and check on family, friends and neighbors.

An extreme heat warning has been issued from Monday through Wednesday night as heat index values up to 110 are possible, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).

"The hottest temperatures and heat indices will occur on Monday and Tuesday. Low temperatures near 75 to 80 degrees and high humidity will not offer much relief from the heat at night," according to NWS.

Additionally, the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has issued a code orange air quality alert Monday.

"A code orange air quality alert means that air pollution concentrations within the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups. Sensitive groups include children, people suffering from asthma, heart disease, or other lung diseases, and the elderly. The effects of air pollution can be minimized by avoiding strenuous activity or exercise outdoors," according to the NWS.