Yakima Valley: Prepare for Extended Hot Weather Starting Now

Residents should prepare for the incoming heat wave in the Yakima Valley starting this weekend. Temps will be in the high 90s over the next two weeks.

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Prepare for Extended Hot Weather Starting Now

The National Weather Service and Weather.com are predicting extensive heat next week and a chance for 100+ degree weather towards the end of the month. Here are some safety tips you can use to stay cool as much as possible.

Keep a bottle of water in the freezer. Take your bottle out each morning so that you'll have cool water to sip on throughout the day as the water melts; each night fill it back up and put it back in the freezer for the next day.
Find your favorite ice cream stand and treat yourself once a week.
Take advantage of the evening and night breezes by opening a window if you don't have the air conditioning on during the day.
Don't ever leave kids or pets in a hot car!
Check on your elderly family and neighbors to make sure they are not melting in this heat!

If your body gets too hot and you feel like you're having a heat stroke, seek emergency care immediately or call 9-1-1. If that isn't possible, try taking a cool shower as soon as possible and find an ice pack to place under your armpits and neck.

When It Gets Too Hot for You, Seek Shelter in a Cooling Center

Seek out a cooling center including public libraries (the Yakama Nation Library is a good resource if you're out in the Lower Valley.), community centers like the Beauchamp Community Center and Washington Fruit Place, and Harman Senior Center, plus museums and shopping plazas like the Valley Mall in Union Gap or Mid Valley Mall in Sunnyside.

You can also treat yourself and head to a movie theater!

Call 2-1-1 at any time to find out the nearest cooling center to you.