West Seattle weather: New forecast; city cool-off facilities

FORECAST UPDATE: Tomorrow, up to 100. Wednesday, up to 103. Read it here. Meantime, as for trying to cool off: We mentioned wading pools and swimming pools earlier; we’re also collecting suggestions from comments on each and every heat-related update (and the WSB Forums, plus e-mailed suggestions, editor@westseattleblog.com) regarding cooldown advice, so we can compile a list tonight to display prominently through the week. And now, a city list has just come in, with information about everything from senior centers to libraries – read on:

With high temperatures predicted in the 90s this week, city of Seattle facilities, including parks, libraries and the Seattle Center are offering people a way to cool off and stay safe during the heat of the day.

● The International Fountain at Seattle Center will extend its hours of operation from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
● The Fountain of Creation, a large wading pool and fountain located in the Seattle Center’s Northwest Rooms’ lower courtyard, also provides a place to cool down.
● The Seattle Center House is air conditioned and is open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
● West Seattle and Southwest Seattle Senior Centers are air conditioned.
● Seattle Parks and Recreation offers indoor swimming at:
o Evans Pool, 7201 E. Green Lake Drive N.
o Madison Pool, 13401 Meridian N.
o Ballard Pool, 1471 N.W. 67th St.
o Meadowbrook Pool, 10515 35th Ave. N.E.
o Queen Anne Pool, 1920 First Ave. W.
o Medgar Evers Pool, 500 23rd Ave.
o Southwest Pool, 2801 S.W. Thistle
o Rainier Beach Pool, 8825 Rainier Ave. S.
Indoor and outdoor swimming pools are $2.75 for children and seniors, and $4 for adults. For more information on outdoor public pools, beaches, spray features and wading pools: www.seattle.gov/parks

● All locations of The Seattle Public Library are open regular hours this week, and many of the facilities are air conditioned. Patrons and tourists are welcome to attend Summer Reading Program events or Library programs, such as story times for children. They also may bring their laptops to take advantage of free Wi-Fi in all locations. For a full listing of events this week or for Library locations, please visit the Library Web site at www.spl.org.

The Central Library is open:
o 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
o Noon to 6 p.m. Sunday

Branch libraries are open:
o 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
o 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
o 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday
o Some branches are also open from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday; please check the Web site for locations or call 206-386-4636

Residents are encouraged to take precautions and monitor themselves and
others for signs and symptoms of heat-related illness. Check on
relatives and neighbors, particularly those with health issues, and call
for medical aid as necessary. Never leave children or pets unattended
in a vehicle, even with the windows rolled down.

NorskGirl July 27, 2009 (5:44 pm)

I posted this comment on another related thread, and repeat it here to heighten awareness (particularly during this time of extreme heat and fire risk):

High fire risk…smoking at bus stops.

Smokers: when seeing your anticipated bus arriving, please do not drop your cigarette butt onto the dry grass parking strip, and create an extreme fire potential.

Just a reminder and a request.

Living in West Seattle since 1985 July 27, 2009 (7:14 pm)

The Best cool down advice I have heard is to sit by a fan with a little sprayer and mist yourself in the breeze. Its really very nice if you don’t mind being damp.

For Children or pets its fun to take a towel and soak it in nice cool water & then ring it out. Then as they are resting in the backyard or deck, place the nice damp towl on their body, making sure NOT to cover their face. Its like a cool compress for your body. Its nice for resting in the shade.

Dreamland July 27, 2009 (7:30 pm)

POOF! I just spontaneously combusted. Descending into the opposite of torpor now, from heat rather than cold….

Dreamland July 27, 2009 (7:32 pm)

Okay, so torpor is not entirely cold temp dependent and means the same thing either way. Regardless I am a quivering blob of protoplasm for the remainder of the week.

k July 27, 2009 (7:44 pm)

sorry ’bout the heat. nothing worse than 103 without ac. it’s been 116 here in palm springs, but at least everything is air conditioned, equipped with misters or poolside!

baconbutt July 27, 2009 (8:07 pm)

Looking forward to moving to Coos Bay… sneaking out in the middle of the night.

wahhhh July 27, 2009 (9:36 pm)

Melting, not sleeping, schedules completely off! I’m so hot I can’t concentrate. Thought any sun is better than last winter – think I am reversing that belief in my head right now. The AC barely kept up today..!! Get through this….

Chris July 27, 2009 (9:36 pm)

As a former West Seattle resident now living in Phoenix. I find your 100 plus temp a walk in the park. Dont think I ever saw those temps in my 13 years in the NW though. Hang in there West Seattle, enjoy the summer while you have it.

neighborly July 27, 2009 (11:13 pm)

Popsicles

hotflash July 28, 2009 (12:14 am)

Popsicles! Yes! Also, at the height of the afternoon heat turn on your lawn sprinkler system or set out a sprinkler or two. The cool water helps take the edge off blistering temps near the the house and any concrete walkways/patios. And the kids (and even the pets) can enjoy a cool down. Be sure to keep water out for pets and fill the bowl with ice.