The National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for Seattle and surrounding areas from Thursday afternoon through late Saturday night. 

The City of Seattle is providing information and public spaces that may be used by residents to stay cool in the high temperatures.

Stay hydrated

• Drink plenty of water. Have a beverage with you at all times, and sip or drink frequently. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink.
• Avoid drinks with caffeine, alcohol and large amounts of sugar because they can actually de-hydrate your body.

Protect your pets

Pets are especially vulnerable in high heat and the Seattle Animal Shelter recommends the following:

• Never leave your animal unattended in direct sunlight. Provide a shady area for retreat, such as a dog house, porch or shady tree, and always provide cool water.
• If you leave animals indoors, open screened windows, keep a fan running, provide plenty of water, and, if possible, leave them in a cool location.
• Never leave animals unattended in a vehicle. Animals do not perspire like humans; they cool themselves by panting. Seats in vehicles get hot under animals’ feet and prevent them from perspiring through their paws. Temperatures rise quickly leaving them trapped and unable to escape the heat.
• If you must travel with your pet, carry water. If a trip requires you to leave your pet in the car at any point, think about saving that for another day. It’s not worth the risk.
• Avoid overexerting your animal in hot weather. Exercise is fine when taken in moderation, but extreme heat conditions, obesity, old age, breed and underlying disease can predispose an animal to the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
• For birds, take caution and place the bird’s cage away from direct sunlight during the intense heat of the afternoon. Provide water and fruits and vegetables with high moisture content.

Libraries

Seattle Center

The Seattle Center Armory is equipped with air conditioning, and will serve as a cooling center when the area experiences extreme heat. View the campus map PDF at http://www.seattlecenter.com/downloads/sc_map_color_gates.pdf.

• Seattle Center Armory (Open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.Sunday-Thursday, and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday)
• International Fountain
• Fountain of Creation (Dupen Fountain)

Senior Centers
The following senior centers have air conditioning or are relatively cool and are open to the public. Please call the individual location before you go for open hours and to verify that the facility is cool.

• Asian Counseling and Referral Service Senior Center (3639 Martin Luther King Way S.) – 206-695-7600
• Ballard NW Senior Center (5429 32nd Ave NW) – 206-297-0403
• Central Area Senior Center (500 30th Ave S) – 206-726-4926
• Greenwood Senior Center (525 N. 85th Street) – 206-297-0875
• International Drop-In Center (7301 Beacon Ave S.) – 206-587-3735
• Pike Market Senior Center and Food Bank (85 Pike St, #200) – 206-728-2773
• The Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St) – 206-932-4044
• Southeast Seattle Senior Center (4655 South Holly St) – 206-722-0317
• Sunshine Garden Chinese Senior Community Center (611 S. Lane St.) housed in the Chinese Information and Service Center – 206-624-5633
• Wallingford Community Senior Center (4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Suite 140) – 206-461-7825

Pools and Water Areas

Four-day-a-week Wading Pools (both are open noon to 6:45 p.m.):

• Hiawatha Community Center, 2700 California Ave. SW, Wed/Thurs/Fri/Sat
• Delridge Community Center, 4501 Delridge Way SW, Mon/Tues/Sat/Sun

Three-day-a-week Wading Pools (all are open from noon to 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted):

• Bitter Lake, 13035 Linden Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri through August 19
• Cal Anderson Park, 1635 11th Ave., noon to 6:45 p.m., Fri/Sat/Sun through August 21
• Dahl Playfield, 7700 25th Ave. NE, Tues/Wed/Thurs through August 18
• East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., Sun/Mon/Tue through August 21
• Soundview, 1590 NW 90th St., Sat/Sun/Mon through August 21
• Wallingford, 4219Wallingford Ave. N, Wed/Thu/Fri through August 19

Daily Wading Pools (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September 5 unless otherwise noted):

• Green Lake, N 73rd and E Green Lake Dr. N
• Lincoln Park, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW
• Magnuson, eastern end of NE 65th St., noon to 6:30 p.m. through August 28
• Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St.
• Volunteer Park, 1400 E Galer St

Daily Water Spray Parks (all are open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. through September 5):

• Ballard Commons, 5701 22nd Ave. NW
• Beacon Mountain at Jefferson Park, 3901 Beacon Ave. S
• John C. Little, 6961 37th Ave. S
• Lower Judkins, 2150 S Norman St.
• Georgetown Playfield, 750 S Homer St.
• Highland Park, 1100 SW Cloverdale
• Lake Union Park, 860 Terry Ave. N
• Miller Community Center, 330 19th Ave. E
• Northacres Park, 12800 1st Ave. NE
• Pratt Park, 1800 S Main St.

Lifeguarded Beaches (noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays)

• Matthews, 9300 51st Ave. NE through September 5
• Madison, 1900 43rd Ave. E through September 5

Mt. Baker, 2301 Lake Washington Blvd. S through September 5

• Seward, 5902 Lake Washington Blvd. S through September 5
• West Green Lake, 7312 W Green Lake Dr. through September 5
• East Green Lake, 7201 E Green Lake Dr. N through August 28
• Magnuson, park entrance at NE 65th and Sand Point Way NE through August 28
• Madrona, 853 Lake Washington Blvd. through August 28
• Pritchard Beach, 8400 55th S through August 28

Outdoor Pools

• “Pop” Mounger Pool, 2535 32nd W, daily, 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., call 206-684-4708 for public swim times. Open through September 11.
• Colman Pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, daily, noon to 7 p.m., call 206-684-7494 for public swim times. Open through September 5.

Additional resources

• Tips from Seattle & King County Public Health
• Tips from Seattle Fire Department