Cooling Centers Open As Heat Wave Arrives In Washington

SEATTLE — With four very hot days in the forecast, cities and counties across Western Washington are opening cooling centers to help residents beat the heat. Some facilities opened Monday, and most will join Tuesday, when afternoon temperatures are poised to break the 90-degree mark. A heat advisory will remain in place until late Friday.

Emergency management in King and Pierce counties are circulating lists of air-conditioned places that people can go during the heat wave, including city halls, libraries, and community and senior centers around the region.

Related: Heat Advisory Through Friday In Western Washington

Here are a few options for cooling off this week:

King County

• Algona – Algona Community Center
• Bothell – Bothell Library and Northshore Senior Center
• Burien – Burien Cooling Center
• Covington – Covington City Hall
• Issaquah – Issaquah Senior Center
• Normandy Park – Normandy Park City Council Chambers
  • Tues-Friday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mercer Island – Mercer Island Community and Event Center
• Renton – Renton Community Center
• Sammamish - YMCA, City Hall, Sammamish Library
• Seatac – Seatac Community Center
• Seattle – Multiple locations and other resources
• Tukwila – Tukwila Splash and Spray

Pierce County

• Key Peninsula Civic Center
• Lighthouse Activity Center
• The R.I.S.E. Center
• Pierce County Libraries
• Tacoma Public Libraries
• Lakewood City Hall
• Auburn Senior Activity Center

Residents can also search a map of the closest cooling centers near them across the state, via Washington 2-11.