Ahead of Heat Wave, Cooling Centers Opened

County officials issue first-ever Code Red heat warning beginning Sunday

By Staff Reports
The Tube City Almanac
June 20, 2025
Posted in: McKeesport and Region News

Four county pools will be open seven days a week, weather permitting. There is also a spray pad facility in Round Hill Park, Elizabeth Twp., shown here. (Allegheny County photo)

Allegheny County officials are warning residents to be prepared for dangerous conditions beginning Sunday and are opening cooling centers for people without air-conditioning.

The National Weather Service in Moon Twp. has issued an extreme heat watch beginning Sunday and continuining through Wednesday. Temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 90s each day, but the humidity will make it feel more like 100 to 105 degrees, forecasters said.

The county has declared its first-ever Code Red Heat Advisory as a result.

“We’ve always responded to heat emergencies, but this year we’re being more systematic,” said Erin Dalton, director of the Allegheny County Department of Human Services. “Senior centers will now more consistently extend their hours on Code Red days, and we’ll be assessing conditions to potentially expand overnight shelter when extreme heat persists into the night. This pilot approach will help us learn what works best to keep people safe.”

Cooling centers in McKeesport, Greenfield

In the Mon-Yough area, cooling centers have already been announced at LifeSpan in Olympia Shopping Center, 4313 Walnut St. Hours are 12 noon to 6 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday.

A county spokeswoman said that when senior centers are acting as cooling centers, they welcome residents of any age.

Cooling centers will also be available at the Pittsburgh CitiParks senior center in Greenfield, at 745 Greenfield Ave., from 12 noon to 6 p.m. Sunday; and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday; and the Plum Community Center, 499 Center-New Texas Road, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Sunday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

A complete list of cooling centers is available on the county’s website. Older adults who need transportation and are unable to drive may call SeniorLine during business hours at (412) 350-5460. Outside of business hours, call 2-1-1, or in an emergency, 9-1-1, the county spokeswoman said.

The county is urging residents to check on neighbors, friends, and family — especially those who are older or medically vulnerable — and to help spread the word about available cooling resources.

Four county pools are open seven days a week, weather permitting. There is also a spray pad facility in Round Hill Park, Elizabeth Twp. 

So-called ‘heat dome’ will extend over much of eastern U.S.

The culprit is a so-called “heat dome” — a high-pressure system locked in place by the jetstream, a high-flowing, fast-moving air current that influences weather patterns on Earth.

NWS forecasters said the heat dome will be centered over the Ohio River valley next week and will only start to break up very slowly late in the week. 

The heat dome will allow for what forecasters described as “well above-average temperatures that could approach or exceed daily records at a few dozen locations, peaking Monday and Tuesday,” including high temperatures approaching 100 degrees, with humidity that makes the temperatures feel like 110 degrees.

Overnight lows will only drop into the low and mid 70s for rural areas, but urban areas — including major cities such as Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York City — will stay in the 80s at night, giving residents little or no relief.

The NWS said “HeatRisk” values will be classified as “Major to Extreme,” indicating an intensity and duration of heat “that is extremely dangerous to anyone without adequate cooling or hydration.”

Temperatures will drop at the end of next week, forecasters said, but will remain above normal.

Heat is leading cause of weather-related deaths

Health experts and NWS both say that heat is the leading weather-related cause of death nationwide, surpassing the fatalities caused by floods, tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning.

Allegheny County Emergency Services is recommending the following heat safety tips:

• Drink plenty of water, even if you’re not thirsty
• Keep yourself cool by using wet towels, putting your feet in cool water, and by taking cool showers
• Spend as much time as possible in cool or air-conditioned buildings
• Block out the sun at home during the day by closing curtains and blinds
• Open the windows when there is a cool breeze
• Stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day
• If you do have to go outside, wear a hat and sunscreen and seek shade.
• Wear light-colored, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibers like cotton and linen
• Eat smaller meals more often and cold meals such as salads
• Make sure food that needs refrigeration is properly stored
• Avoid heavy activity like sports, renovating and gardening
• Watch or listen to news reports to find out more information during extreme heat
• Never leave children or pets in vehicles

Originally published June 20, 2025.

In other news:
"City Promotes Officer…" ||