Dangerously high daily temperatures over 90, with moderate to extreme heat risk, are expected to begin Sunday and last through Thursday in the Akron area and across the state of Ohio. 
Dangerously high daily temperatures over 90, with moderate to extreme heat risk, are expected to begin Sunday, shown here on a map from the National Weather Service, and last through Thursday in the Akron area and across the state of Ohio.  Extreme heat risk, which the National Weather Service classifies as “rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief,” can be expected starting Monday. (Screenshot via National Weather Service HeatRisk page)

Greater Cleveland, Akron and several other northeast Ohio cities will be in a heat advisory until 8 p.m. Tuesday, the National Weather Service warned residents Monday.

Forecasted temperatures will reach into the 90s. But it could feel as hot as 104 degrees due to humidity levels. 

“It’s important that we all take precautions to stay safe and healthy during heatwaves like this,” Cuyahoga County Director of Public Safety and Justice Services, Brandy Carney said in a release. “Limit your time outdoors, take breaks from activities and stay hydrated. Most importantly, check on your family members, neighbors, and pets.” 

Greater Cleveland and the Akron area will experience major to extreme heat risk on Monday and Tuesday. The National Weather Service classifies extreme heat risk as “rare and/or long-duration extreme heat with little to no overnight relief.”

Though daily high temperatures will drop into the lower-80s after Tuesday, it will likely still feel like it’s in the mid-to-upper 90s through Wednesday, the National Weather Service said.

Looking for a place to stay cool? Starting Sunday, June 22, these City of Cleveland rec centers will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Free lunch will be available for kids 18 and under between noon and 1 p.m. each day.

Know of any additional resources? Send them to [email protected].

Collinwood Recreation Center: 16300 Lakeshore Blvd., (216) 420-8323 

Features: Water slide, weight room, fitness room, game room, computer room, art room, gym, meeting room, indoor track, indoor pool, aqua playground. Click here for the programming schedule.

Gunning Recreation Center: 16700 Puritas Ave., (216) 420-7900

Features: Senior center, weight room, sauna, gym, meeting room, indoor track. Click here for the programming schedule.

Frederick Douglass Recreation Center: 15401 Miles Ave., (216) 664-6882

Features: Gym, indoor pool, indoor children’s water play area, aerobics room, multi-purpose Room, arts & crafts room, computer/instruction room, tots room, playground, outdoor children’s splash pad, tennis courts, baseball fields. Click here for the programming schedule.

Michael Zone Recreation Center: 6301 Lorain Ave., (216) 664-3373

Features: Weight room, sauna, racquetball, game room, gym, meeting room, indoor pool. Click here for the programming schedule.

Zelma George Recreation Center: 3155 Martin L. King Blvd. (216) 420-8800

Features: Weight room, roller skating, gym, kitchen, indoor track. Click here for the programming schedule.

All playground programs and youth outdoor programs are suspended on Monday, June 23 and Tuesday, June 24.

What about Cleveland pools?

All available outdoor pools will be open on Sunday, June 22, from noon to 7:45 p.m.

All available indoor pools will be open on Monday, June 23, and Tuesday, June 24, from noon to 7:45 p.m.

All available spray parks and basins will be in operation any day of the week when the temperature is 80 degrees or higher.

Power outages at social service buildings

The extreme weather is causing power outages at some social service buildings in Cleveland, including Jane Edna Hunter and Virgil E. Brown.

The two buildings closed at 4 p.m. Monday because of the power outages, according to Cuyahoga County.

The Jane Edna Hunter Center is the headquarters for the county’s Division of Children and Family Services. In the past several years, the building has been used to house foster kids overnight who haven’t been placed at homes. That has become less frequent in recent years.

The child abuse hotline is still available throughout the power outage at 216-696-KIDS (5437).

The Virgil E. Brown building also offers child support services, in addition to assistance applying for social service benefits like SNAP and Medicaid.

Stay cool, stay safe

Heat is the leading weather-related killer in the United States, according to the U.S. EPA, even though many deaths are preventable.

Here are some safety tips from the National Weather Service. Signal Cleveland’s content partner, WKYC Studios, also has helpful information about the expected heat wave.

Color-coded risk of heat-related impacts.
Color-coded risk of heat-related impacts coorrelate to the map snapshot above. Go to the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk page for the full view. (Screenshot via National Weather Service HeatRisk page)

Avoid going outdoors, but if you must:

  • Slow down and reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. 
  • Anyone with a particular vulnerability to heat such as children, infants, older adults (especially those who have pre-existing conditions, take certain medications, live alone or have limited mobility), those with chronic medical conditions, and pregnant women should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
  • Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat and sunlight.
  • Minimize your direct exposure to the sun, since sunburn reduces your body’s ability to handle heat.

Eating and drinking:

  • Drink plenty of water (not very cold), non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids, even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you are on a fluid-restricted diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing your consumption of fluids. 
  • Do not take salt tablets unless specified by a physician.
  • Eat light, cool, easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. Keep food you’ve packed in a cooler or carry an ice pack — don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meat and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.

To keep cool: 

  • Use air conditioners or spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls, libraries and community centers.
  • Use portable electric fans to remove hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
  • Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry, blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
  • Take a cool bath or shower.

Check on others:

  • Check on older, sick or frail people who may need help responding to the heat.
  • Do not leave children, disabled adults or pets in vehicles. Interior temperatures can quickly reach deadly levels.

Call your child’s pediatrician if they:

  • Feel faint
  • Have extreme tiredness (e.g., unusually sleepy, drowsy, or hard to rouse)
  • Have a headache
  • Have a fever
  • Have intense thirst
  • Are not urinating for many hours
  • Have nausea
  • Are vomiting
  • Are breathing faster or deeper than normal
  • Have skin numbness or tingling
  • Have muscle aches
  • Have muscle spasms

Recognize the signs of heat-related illness 

Early recognition and treatment of heat-related illnesses are key to avoiding serious complications. The three most common types are:

Exercise-associated muscle cramps happen suddenly or are sometimes progressive, involuntary, painful contractions (or flexing) of muscles during or after exercise. Other symptoms may include thirst, fatigue or feeling tired and sweating.

Heat exhaustion occurs when an athlete has difficulty exercising effectively due to a combination of high temperatures, excessive sweating and inadequate fluid and salt replacement. 

Symptoms include:

  • Core body temperature below 105°F
  • Excessive fatigue/tired or difficulty participating
  • Headache, dizziness and/or confusion (mild)
  • Weakness, poor muscle coordination
  • Vomiting/nausea
  • Low blood pressure

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) occurs when the body’s heat-regulating system is overwhelmed by excessive heat. It is a life-threatening emergency and requires immediate medical attention and rapid cooling. 

Symptoms include:

  • Core body temperature typically above 105°F
  • Extreme difficulty or inability to continue participating
  • Collapse, confusion, seizures, altered consciousness, combative, irritable
  • Increased heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid breathing
  • Hot, wet or dry skin

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.

Associate Editor and Director of the Editors’ Bureau (he/him)
Important stories are hiding everywhere, and my favorite part of journalism has always been the collaboration, working with colleagues to find the patterns in the information we’re constantly gathering. I don’t care whose name appears in the byline; the work is its own reward. As Batman said to Commissioner Gordon in “The Dark Knight,” “I’m whatever Gotham needs me to be.”

Health Reporter (she/her)
I aim to cover a broad array of factors influencing Clevelanders’ health, from the traditional healthcare systems to issues like housing and the environment. As a recent transplant from my home state of Kansas, I hope to learn the ins-and-outs of the city’s complex health systems – and break them down for readers as I do.