HOT! HOT! HOT! Statewide Heat Advisory in effect to start the weekend as first heat wave of summer arrives

Local residents asked to take heat safety precautions and keep watch over children, seniors and pets

By Steve Freker

The first official heat wave of the summer arrived late Wednesday and is expected to continue through the start of the weekend today into Saturday. Temperatures were in the low 90s late Wednesday and on Thursday and are expected to remain in the 90s today to make three in a row – the first heat wave of Summer 2023.

Overall, it has been a relatively mild summer, temperature-wise, climbing to 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above just two days this summer. A major contributing factor to the lack of high temperatures this summer has been the proliferation of rainy days – 12 days in June and 12 days so far in July.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts has issued a Heat Advisory for nearly all of the state, including here in Eastern Mass. in Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex Counties, which includes the entire Advocate readership area of Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus. Temperatures approached 90 on both Wednesday and Thursday and were expected to be 90-92 today. The hot temperatures will be accompanied by oppressive humidity, resulting in stifling heat index values: over 100 degrees on Thursday and Friday. The National Weather Service also issued a Heat Advisory beginning late Wednesday through Saturday. The heat advisory is meant to put residents on alert about heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke and dehydration.

In Malden, due to predicted high temperatures, the City of Malden has made a variety of cooling options available around the city Wednesday, July 26 through today, Friday, July 28. The Malden Senior Community Center located at 7 Washington St., and fully air-conditioned, is open between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to residents seeking relief from the heat. Additionally, two outdoor water misting stations are open during those same days and times. The two locations will be at the Linden School (Basketball Court side) and at Macdonald Stadium (Building Side). City officials encourage residents with children to seek out our two public recreational water facilities: the Holland Memorial Pool on Mountain Avenue and the Splash Pad at Lincoln Commons.

In Revere, Outdoor Cooling Stations were activated at the following locations – Costa Park, Sonny Myers Park, West Revere Complex and Harry Della Russo Stadium – from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. At each site there will be misting fans, water and sunscreen.

City officials in Everett and Saugus also urged residents to take precautions and keep a watch on children, the elderly and pets during the predicted heat wave.

For the official heat wave designation, there needs to be three consecutive days of 90 degree, or higher, readings. Last summer, we hit 90 degrees or greater 21 times and had two heat waves: one in July (for seven days) and one in August (for six days).

A heat advisory was in place for both Thursday and Friday, which means heat-related illnesses can occur more easily under these conditions. Make sure to stay hydrated, seek shade and air conditioning, and check up on family, friends and neighbors. Remember: Young kids and pets should never be left in vehicles.

On Saturday, a cold front arrives at the surface from the Northwest, triggering more storms after high temperatures reach 90 degrees again for parts of southern New England. New air arrives behind the cold front on Sunday, which means lower humidity, lots of sunshine and noticeably cooler temperatures, around 80.