Worcester Opening Warming Centers With Extreme Cold Coming

WORCESTER, MA — With another round of extreme cold temperatures set to hit Worcester, two warming centers will be open on Saturday and Sunday for residents.

The most recent forecasts say Worcester could see temperatures drop to 22 below zero with the wind chill. The entire region is under a wind chill advisory beginning at 7 p.m. on Friday and lasting into Saturday afternoon. The high temperature will be about 10 degrees on Saturday.

"The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes," the National Weather Service said in the wind chill advisory.

Worcester's warming centers will be located at the main downtown library, 3 Salem Square, and at the next-door YWCA at 1 Salem Square. The library will be open Friday until 5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The YWCA will be open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.

For people who identify as women, HARBOR (Healthcare, Advocacy, Room, Board, Outreach, Rehousing) offers beds and operates as a warming center. Call HARBOR at (508) 556-610.

Worcester will also provide outreach to homeless residents in advance of the deep freeze. If you need to find help for someone living outdoors, check out this guide to shelters in Worcester, Milford and MetroWest.