Janey declares heat emergency as Mass. faces potential four-day heat wave

Highs on Saturday will be near 90 degrees in many locations.NOAA

Acting Mayor Kim Janey on Saturday declared a heat emergency in Boston, as parts of Massachusetts brace for a potential four-day heat wave, marking the first time this year that the state has seen high heat and humidity for an extended period.

“It could start as early as today, more likely tomorrow,” National Weather Service meteorologist Torry Gaucher said Saturday. “It really depends on your location.”

A heat wave is three days or more of a temperature above 90 degrees, according to Gaucher.

Boston reached a high of 91 degrees at 2:10 p.m. Saturday, before the temperature began cooling, according to the National Weather Service.

In a statement Saturday, Janey declared a heat emergency from Sunday to Tuesday and said community cooling centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“I’m urging everyone to take precautions and find ways to stay cool over the next few days,” Janey said in the statement.

People are urged to stay hydrated, wear sunscreen with an SPF-30 or higher, and limit outdoor activity, according to the mayor’s office. A full list of cooling centers along with additional heat safety tips can be found at boston.gov/heat.

In the coming days, the highest temperatures will be away from the immediate coastline; the Cape and islands will likely be in the upper 70s to low 80s, Gaucher said.

“If you need relief from the heat, you can head down to those areas to cool off,” he said.

The heat wave is expected to end Wednesday, but temperatures will remain in the upper 80s, Gaucher said.

Cooler air will arrive in the region Thursday, when high temperatures should drop to the 70s and remain there into next weekend, he said.

“As always, we recommend everyone stay hydrated and take frequent breaks.” Gaucher said.