If there was any question about which season we are in, the next few days should prove educational. The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory and an excessive heat watch as temperatures and humidity climb.
Highs are forecast to reach the upper 90s. It will feel hotter than that with dew points in the mid 70s. The Weather Service says heat index values will be "100 to 104 Thursday. Near or above 105 … Friday and Saturday."
Cincinnati is preparing for the hot temperatures. The city's nearly two dozen recreation centers will be open as cooling centers. Health Centers will also serve as cooling centers. "People have been able to come in, but this is the first time we've actively said we want to be part of this and we want to name our health centers as cool centers," says Rosemary Stemerick, communications specialist with the Cincinnati Health Department.
When the heat becomes overwhelming, Stemerick says getting into air conditioning goes a long way. "If you're not sweating, you feel dizzy, you have a headache, your skin is red and dry, those are indications you need to get inside.
"In the last several years there have been a few deaths from the heat," Stemerick says. "We're trying to avoid that."
There are seven health centers located around Cincinnati. The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County has 41 locations across the county that are also open as cooling centers.
There are eight spraygrounds operated by the CRC, and all are free. Cincinnati also operates 24 swimming pools.
