Heat could set new records this week. How to stay cool in Tri-Cities

People who need a break from the heat in the Tri-Cities area this week can head to public buildings, particularly libraries.

The World Health Organization says that prolonged heat takes a toll on the body. It recommends that people who cannot keep their homes cool spend at least two to three hours of the day in a cool place.

During last summer’s record breaking heat wave, the deaths of four residents of Benton and Franklin counties were attributed to heat. None of those who died had air conditioning, said county coroners.

The Franklin PUD also recommends that people have a plan in place for a cool place to stay in case of a power outage. Extreme weather increases the chance of an outage.

The current forecast for the Tri-Cities calls for temperatures over 100 through this work week and into the start of the next work week.

An excessive heat warning has been issued from Monday through Friday by the National Weather Service.

It predicts that Friday will be the hottest day of the heat wave with a temperature of 111 in the Tri-Cities. The Weather Channel forecasts the high the same day at 113.

There’s a chance that the previous high temperature record for July 25 of 103 in Pasco could be tied or could fall Monday, says the weather service.

“Stay tuned as more records will likely be broken across the Pacific Northwest this week!” the weather service posted to social media Monday.

Limited cooling is expected overnight this week.

Lows will be no cooler than the 70s Tuesday night through at least Saturday night, with the temperature forecast to fall no lower than 78 on Thursday night.

Where to find heat relief

Splash pads and swimming pools will offer some relief from the heat.

If you are looking for a place to spend several hours indoors, many public buildings will be open, in addition to options such as visiting Columbia Center mall or watching a movie at a theater.

Here are some of the indoor options for those seeking air conditioning:

▪ The Richland Community Center, 500 Amon Park Drive, is open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Internet access and water refilling stations are available.

▪ Richland City Hall, 625 Swift Blvd., is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Internet access and water refilling stations are available.

▪ Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Drive, is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

The library lobby opens weekdays at 8:30 a.m. and Saturday at 9 a.m. with seating, wi-fi, restrooms and drinking fountains.

▪ Keewaydin Community Center, 500 S. Auburn St., Kennewick, is open weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

▪ The Keewaydin Park branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The Kennewick branch of Mid-Columbia Libraries also is open with a temporary cooling system until a better system can be installed next year, but the Keewaydin branch should be cooler.

▪ The Pasco branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries, 1320 W. Hopkins St., is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. weekends.

▪ The West Pasco branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries, 7525 Wrigley Drive, is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

▪ The West Richland branch of the Mid-Columbia Libraries, 3803 W. Van Giesen St., is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; and noon to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

▪ The city of West Richland is working with the Richland School District to open one or more schools there to offer relief from the heat, but details had yet to be worked out Monday morning.