Beat the Heat - Cooling Centers

While normal operating hours are maintained at all City facilities, the centers designated as a Cooling Center listed within the map and below will be activated as Cooling Centers when temperatures reach 97°F or higher.

Cool Centers serve as drop-in sites for vulnerable individuals, seniors, the disabled and others in need of temporary relief from extreme heat. When activated Cool Centers may offer water and snacks.

Summer Pool Hours

 

View Live Map Full Screen    View List of Cool Centers

 

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Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is dangerous because it can push your body temperature beyond its limits. If your body can’t cool itself fast enough, permanent damage or even death can occur. When there's a heat risk in Riverside, the National Weather Service in San Diego issues alerts. Sign up to receive emergency alerts.

 

 

Kaitlyn's Law     Heat Safety Preparedness

While elderly people, the disabled, young children, those who are sick, live alone or are overweight are more likely to become victims of excessive heat, the effects of heat can quickly overcome the healthiest people, especially if they perform strenuous work during the warmest parts of the day. Symptoms of dehydration and heat illness may not be easily recognized.

 

Know the Terms

Heat Advisory: A Heat Advisory is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Advisory is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 100° or higher for at least 2 days, and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas that are not used to dangerous heat conditions. Take precautions to avoid heat illness. If you don't take precautions, you may become seriously ill or even die.

Excessive Heat Watch: Heat watches are issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. A Watch is used when the risk of a heat wave has increased but its occurrence and timing is still uncertain.

Excessive Heat Warning: An Excessive Heat Warning is issued within 12 hours of the onset of extremely dangerous heat conditions. The general rule of thumb for this Warning is when the maximum heat index temperature is expected to be 105° or higher for at least 2 days and night time air temperatures will not drop below 75°; however, these criteria vary across the country, especially for areas not used to extreme heat conditions. If you don't take precautions immediately when conditions are extreme, you may become seriously ill or even die.

 

Heat Index: How hot it feels when relative humidity is added to air temperature.

Know the Current Conditions

The team at the National Weather Service in San Diego have our back! Make sure to check their website regularly and follow them on social media to get updates from them.

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Know Your Risk

Based on various factors, the National Weather Service can estimate heat risk for your area. From 1-4, with 4 being the highest, Heat Risk can help you determine how hazardous the heat can be for you. You can find the current heat risk forecast at https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/heatrisk/

View Heat Safety & Preparedness

CATEGORY	RISK OF HEAT-RELATED IMPACTS
Green 0	Little to no risk from the expected heat.
Yellow 1	MINOR - This level of heat affects primarily those individuals extremely sensitive to heat, especially when outdoors without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration.
Orange 2	MODERATE - This level of heat affects most individuals sensitive to heat, especially those without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts possible in some health systems and in heat-sensitive industries
Red 3	MAJOR - This level of heat affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in some health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure.
Magenta 4	EXTREME - This level of rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief affects anyone without effective cooling and/or adequate hydration. Impacts likely in most health systems, heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure.

 

You can also download the OSHA Heat Safety Tool to know how the heat my affect you and those around you.

 

 

Heat Exhaustion

• Symptoms
  • Heavy sweating
  • Weakness
  • Cold, pale, and clammy skin
  • Weak pulse
  • Fainting and vomiting
• What You Should Do
  • Move to a cooler location.
  • Lie down and loosen your clothing.
  • Apply cool, wet cloths to as much of your body as possible.
  • Sip water.
  • If you have vomited and it continues, seek medical attention immediately.

 

Heat Stroke

• Symptoms
  • High body temperature (above 103°F)
  • Hot, red, dry, or moist skin
  • Rapid and strong pulse
  • Possible unconsciousness

• What You Should Do
  • Call 911 immediately — this is a medical emergency.
  • Move the person to a cooler environment.
  • Reduce the person's body temperature with cool cloths or even a bath.
  • Do NOT give fluids.

Learn more from our partners at HEAT.gov.