An Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for most of southern New England except the Berkshires and south coast where the Extreme Heat Watch continues. Dangerous heat indices of 98 to 112 degrees are expected with the peak of it Thursday into Friday.
Photo credit: National Weather Service
As of June 30, the National Weather Service had upgraded the Excessive Heat Warning for Western Massachusetts to an Extreme Heat Warning for the period of July 1 to 5, with the worst of the predicted heat to occur Thursday, July 2 into Friday, July 3.
The warning lists humidity and daytime temperatures of 99 to 112 degrees F, with little relief during the overnight periods through Sunday.
Given the extreme conditions on our doorstep, the American Red Cross advises everyone to take three key steps to handle the predicted extreme heat: stay cool, stay hydrated and stay connected. Specifically:
- Stay in air-conditioned buildings whenever possible.
- Drink plenty of water, even if you do not feel thirsty.
- Avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the hottest hours of the day.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting clothing.
- Check on elderly neighbors, family members, and others who may be vulnerable to heat-related illness.
- Never leave children, older adults, or pets unattended in vehicles.
- Seek immediate medical attention if someone experiences symptoms of heat stroke, including confusion, loss of consciousness, high body temperature, or difficulty breathing.
To help readers find relief from the heat, Reminder Publishing has prepared a list of cooling centers open July 1-5 in our readership area. As more information is available, it will be added to this list.
Agawam
Agawam will have two cooling locations open during the heat wave predicted for July 1-5. The Agawam Senior Center, located at 854 Main St. will be open Tues. from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wed. and Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. this week; the center will be closed Friday, July 3 in observance of July 4th The Agawam Public Library, located at 750 Cooper St., will be open through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; it will be closed Friday July 3 in observance of July 4th. In addition, the spray park at School Street Park will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Perry Lane Pool will be open Monday to Friday 4-6 p.m., Sat. and Sun. noon-5 p.m.
Chicopee
The City of Chicopee will have the following cooling centers open for residents during the predicted heat wave of July 1-5. The Chicopee Public Library, 449 Front. St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. The RiverMills Senior Center, 5 W. Main St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. both the library and the Senior Center will be closed Fri., July 3 in observance of the July 4th holiday. They will also be closed on Sat. July 4 and Sun., July 5. The Chicopee Police Station lobby, 110 Church St., will be open as a cooling center daily 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Enfield
Governor Ned Lamont has enacted the state’s Extreme Heat Warning for July 1-5, but in the town of Enfield, access to cooling centers will be limited. The Enfield Central Public Library, located at 104 Middle Rd., will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the library will be closed Fri. Sat. and Sun. The Pearl St. Branch Library, 159 Pearl St., will be open 9 a.m.- 8 p.m. Wed. and Thurs, the branch will be closed Fr., Sat., Sun. The Enfield Senior Center, 299 Elm St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., the center will be closed Fri., Sat., Sun. In addition, the Enfield Police Department, located at 293 Elm St. is available as a temporary cooling center 24 hours each day.
Easthampton
To ensure everyone has access to a cool area during the upcoming predicted heat wave, the City of Easthampton will be establishing a cooling area at the Easthampton Public Safety Complex located at 32 Payson Avenue. The cooling area will be available to the public from Wednesday, July 1 through Sunday, July 5, 24 hours a day. Space is available inside the main lobby to accommodate individuals needing refuge from the environmental elements. Face coverings will be available for individuals who wish to have one. The cooling area will have drinking water for those using the facility.
Holyoke
Mayor Joshua Garcia is encouraging residents to take advantage of cooling centers, Holyoke Mall and the city’s spray parks during the heat wave predicted July 1-5. The Holyoke Senior Center at 291 Pine St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the center will be closed on Friday in observance of the July 4th; the Holyoke Public Library at 250 Chestnut St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; the library will be closed Fri. in observance of the July 4th holiday, and Sat and Sun. Holyoke Mall will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Fri. 10 a.m. – 9 p.m., Sat. July 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., though store and restaurant hours may vary on the holiday, and Sun. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. In addition, splash pads will be open including Springdale Park 5 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily, Pulaski Park daylight hours daily, Community Field 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily, Pina Park 5:30a.m.- 8:30 p.m. daily, Carlos Vega Park 7:30 a.m.- 8:30 p.m. daily., Heritage State Park noon- 4 p.m. daily and at Pouliot pool, though the pool will not be open until after the holiday weekend.
Northampton
Northampton will have five cooling centers available to the public during the upcoming heat wave predicted from July 1-5. The Division of Community Care, located at 1 Roundhouse Plaza, will be open Wed., Thurs, and Fri, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sat. from noon to 5 p.m.; the Forbes Library, located at 20 West St., will be open Wed. and Thurs. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Fri. and Sat. from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Manna, located at 48 Elm St., will be open Wed. and Thurs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., serving lunch both days.; Lily Library, located at 19 Meadow St. in Florence, will be open Fri. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The Northampton Police Station lobby will also function as a cooling center and will be open 24/7. Drinking water will be available from the indoor water fountain in City Hall Mon.-Fri. from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
South Hadley
The South Hadley Council on Aging 45 Dayton St., Wed. and Thurs. from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both the library and the council on Aging will be closed Fri. July 3 in observance of the July 4th holiday, as well as Sat. and Sun.
Springfield
| Cooling Center Site | Address | Dates | Times |
| Indian Orchard Community Center at Myrtle Street Park | 117 Main St., Springfield, MA 01151 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| South End Community Center | 99 Marble St., Springfield, MA 01105 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Raymond A. Jordan Senior Center | 1476 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA 01109 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Senior Center in the North End at Kenefick Park | 310 Plainfield St., Springfield, MA 01107 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Mason Square Library Community Room | 765 State Street, Springfield, MA 01109 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Hungry Hill Senior Center | 773 Liberty Street, Springfield, MA 01104 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Clodo Concepcion (Greenleaf) Community Center | 1187 ½ Parker St., Springfield, MA 01129 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 Saturday, July 4, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
| Forest Park Library | 380 Belmont Avenue Springfield, MA 01108 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 | 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Springfield Elks Lodge #61 | 440 Tiffany St, Springfield, MA 01108 | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 Thursday, July 2, 2026 Friday, July 3, 2026 | 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Westfield
Though Westfield will not be opening cooling centers specifically for the upcoming heatwave, Executive Assistant to the Mayor Amy Tosi said that both the Westfield Athenaeum and Senior Center will be open on Wednesday and Thursday for residents who need to get out of the heat. The Athenaeum, located at 6 Elm St., will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. wed. and Thurs.; and the Senior Center, located at 45 Noble St. will be open Wed. and Thurs. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Both the Athenaeum and the Senior Center will be closed Fri. July 3 in observance of the July 4th holiday, as well as Sat. July 4 and Sun. 5.
Westhampton
The Westhampton Public Library, located at 1 North Rd., will be open as a cooling center on July 1 from 9 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m. and July 2 from 2-8 p.m. The library will be closed on July 3 in observance of the July4th holiday. It will also be closed Sat. July 4 and Sun. July 5.
