There’s no disputing what we are facing this week on the weather front. It will be hot, and then some.
The National Weather Service has issued an “Excessive Heat Watch,” with this forecast: “Long term Thursday through Tuesday: Very hot and humid Thursday (sunny, hot, and breezy, with a high near 97) and Friday (mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 94; slight chance of showers or thunderstorms after 2 p.m.); some relief over the weekend (sunny, near 90 on Saturday; sunny, lower ‘80s on Sunday.
So it’s July in Boston and it’s going to be hot and humid. Always has been so hereabouts. You expected maybe an ice storm?
Nonetheless, oppressive heat mandates precautions, and the Mayor’s Office has set them out while opening municipal cooling centers and extending pool hours for the nonce:
“Children and the elderly are particularly susceptible to heat-related illnesses and injuries, but everyone should remember to limit their activities during very hot weather, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid beverages that contain caffeine or alcohol. When outdoors, limit strenuous activity, wear sunscreen and loose, light-colored clothing, and rest often in cool, shady areas.
“Heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke can be fatal if untreated and need to be taken seriously. Residents should follow heat safety precautions and pay attention to the warning signs such as nausea, dizziness, and headaches. If symptoms persist, call 911 immediately. Family, friends and neighbors are also urged to check in frequently with elderly residents who may need assistance during the hot weather.
“For questions about heat-related city services, residents should call the Mayor’s 24-Hour Hotline at 617-635-4500.
Cooling centers in Dorchester are located at the Cleveland Community Center at 11 Charles St. in Fields Corner, the Grove Hall Community Center at 51 Geneva Ave., the Holland Community Center at 85 Olney St. In Mattapan, residents can find relief at the Gallivan Community Center, 61 Woodruff Way, and the Mildred Avenue Community Center at 5 Mildred Ave.
Centers in Dorchester with pools where hours have been pushed back to 9 p.m. include the Leahy-Holloran Center at 1 Worrell St. and the Holland Center. In Mattapan, swimming is in at the Mildred Avenue site.
And, of course, relief is available at those natural cooling center called beaches.
A bit of history: 100 years ago this month, Boston experienced a heat wave for the ages. Weather Service records extending back to 1872 show that July 4, 1911, gave us the hottest day of all from then to now: 104 degrees Fahrenheit. That month a century ago registered the longest sustained heat wave in the city’s record books: 102 on the 3rd, the all-time high on the 4th, 101 on the 6th, and 100 on the 11th.
So we’ve been there and felt that. And it’s only seven months until we reach Feb. 9, on which date in 1934 the temperature plunged to minus 18 degrees. Chill on that.
–Tom Mulvoy
