The Beech Street Center will be available as a cooling center this week as the town braces for the possibility of record-breaking temperatures.
The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory from noon to 7 p.m. on Tuesday. A heat advisory means people can expect heat-index values to push 100 degrees. The heat index measures how hot it feels when relative humidity and air temperature are taken into account.
On Wednesday, the weather service issued an excessive heat watch, with heat index ratings pushing over 102 degrees possible.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for temps of 95 on Tuesday, 97 on Wednesday, 100 on Thursday, and 93 on Friday.
Because Wednesday is a holiday, the Beech Street Center is closed.
The building is open from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday. Water will be available.
According to Assistant Town Administrator Jennifer Hewitt, the town will monitor the heat to determine whether anything needs to be addressed.
Belmont Media Center
The Belmont Media Center will also serve as a cooling center during the heatwave.
People are invited to the center at 9 Lexington St. from now through Friday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
There will be water available.
Belmont Light
Belmont Light is issuing a #PeakUsageAlert from Tuesday, June 18, to Thursday, June 20, urging residents to reduce use where possible. According to Belmont Light, energy generated during peak times comes from more expensive and likely fossil fuel-driven sources.
- Set thermostats a few degrees higher while still staying comfortable.
- Save dishwasher and dryer use for nighttime or overnight hours.
- Unplug devices that are not in use, like gaming systems.
- Cook on an outside grill instead of using an oven, which ups the temperature inside.
Farmers’ Market
The Belmont Farmers’ Market is scheduled to close an hour early this week because of the weather.
The market is expecting vendors to show up. Any cancellations will be announced online.