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Field Guide to Boston
A heat wave is hitting Boston. Here are tips on how to stay cool and safe
Summers are getting hotter.
Average summer temperatures in Boston have increased 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit since 1970. The year 2023 tied 2012 for the hottest year on record in Massachusetts, according to the National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration. And across the U.S., heat waves are occurring three times more often than they did in the 1960s — about six per year compared to two per year.
As once-rare extreme heat becomes more common, here are tips to stay cool and safe in Boston.
Tips for Bostonians to beat the heat
What you can do to keep yourself cool
Gov. Maura Healey's office recommended the following checklist ahead of the first heat wave in 2024:
- Minimize time spent outdoors
- Stay hydrated
- Dressing appropriately for the heat, including wearing a hat outside, as well as light-colored, loose-fitting and breathable clothing.
- Seek out air-conditioned buildings
- Check on neighbors who may need assistance
Cooling centers, misting towers, beach options
Boston residents who need help staying cool can head to cooling centers at 14 Boston Centers for Youth & Families, which usually open during heat waves.
This year, the city is launched other new cooling initiatives, including setting up outdoor misting towers at fire stations and parks during heat emergencies, as well as the city's Open Streets events.
Pools and splash pads throughout the city will be open for residents to use. However, some of the pools are undergoing maintenance or repairs and are not open, so be sure to check before you go.
Mass. residents also can take full advantage of Department of Conservation and recreation's 81 waterfronts and spray parks across the state, as well as saltwater ocean beaches and freshwater inland beaches.
Pet safety tips
The Animal Rescue League of Boston reminds pet owners to keep their furry friends safe during extreme heat. High humidity can also cause respiratory issues for animals, particularly short-snouted animals like pugs.
The group recommends the following:
- Limit outdoor exercise to mornings or evenings when temperatures drop to their coolest points.
- At home, keep your pets inside a cool, low-humidity and, if possible, temperature-regulated room.
- If you must be outside, make sure your pet can find plenty of shady spots.
- Keep your pet hydrated.
- Never leave your pet alone in a parked car, even with air conditioning or windows cracked.
It's illegal in Massachusetts to keep an animal confined in a vehicle during extreme hot or cold conditions and whenever a weather advisory is in place, the group stressed. It's also illegal to keep dogs tethered for longer than five hours within a 24-hour period.
How to get additional help
Bostonians in need of support during the heat wave can call the city's helpline at 311 or find resources at boston.gov/heat.
Residents across the state can call 211 to find nearby cooling locations or shelters, Healey's office said.
With additional reporting from WBUR's Zeninjor Enwemeka
This article was originally published on June 18, 2024.
