With record high heat expected over the next few days staying cool will be a challenge.

If you do choose to get in the water, exercise caution.

The water temperature in Puget Sound today is 60.8°F.

The average water temperature in Puget Sound in winter reaches 46.4°F, in spring 48.2°F, in summer the average temperature rises to 57.2°F, and in autumn it is 53.6°F.

So diving in can be a shock. If you are boating use Coast Guard approved floatation devices and life preservers.

The City of Seattle will be opening more than 30 “cooling centers” including senior centers, community centers, libraries, day/hygiene, and an emergency shelter in addition to beaches, pools, spray parks, and wading pools. All locations and hours of operation vary. Temperatures across Seattle metro area are forecast to reach the mid-100’s by Monday, a record-breaking day.  

NEW: Cooling Center at Amazon Meeting Center in Downtown Seattle

Amazon’s Meeting Center, located at 2031 7th Avenue, will be open on Monday, June 28 from 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. as a cooling center. Complimentary parking is available in the Doppler garage (entrance located at 2020 6th Avenue). Masks are required. Attendees must provide ID upon entrance. Pets are not allowed (service animals OK).

UPDATED: Seattle Public Utilities  

Because of the extreme heat forecasted, the City’s North and South Transfer Stations, operated by Seattle Public Utilities, will close at 2 p.m. on Sunday, June 27, and Monday, June 28, to self-haul service. The temporary, early closure protects SPU staff, who continue to wear masks per CDC guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic, from heat-related illnesses. It also reduces fire risk with certain types of self-haul waste. 

SPU will be skipping Monday food and yard waste collection to get contractors off the roads earlier. SPU is sending out text or email messages to Monday customers regarding skipped food and yard waste collection and earlier 6 a.m. collection start for other waste types.

SPU Solid Waste contractors are also taking health precautions during the excessive heat watch and will begin servicing residential customer routes one hour earlier on Monday. SPU Monday customers are asked to set out their garbage, compost, and recycling by 6 a.m. Monday. 

Outreach and Day Centers for People Experiencing Homelessness 

To support those living unsheltered in the excessive heat, the HOPE Team, in partnership with outreach providers, Seattle Fire Department Health One and Seattle Police Department Community Service Officers, are conducting welfare checks, handing out water and basic needs supplies, and providing other supports, including transportation to cooling centers and shelter. The City has limited availability of 24/7 enhanced shelter, tiny homes, and other shelter spaces. 

• Salvation Army Seattle White Center Community Center, 9050 16th Ave. SW, Seattle, WA 98106

• • Hours: 11 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; Saturday – Tuesday

• Lake City Community Center, 15321 28th Ave NE

• • Hours: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sunday/ 1 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Tuesday

• Community Drop-In Center (Seattle Indian Center), 1265 S Main St suite 105 

• • Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday – Friday/ 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday – Sunday

• God’s Lil Acre, 12521 33rd Ave NE 

• • Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday 

• Immanuel Community Services, 1215 Thomas St 

• • Hours: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Monday – Friday 

• The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center, 4th Ave & Jefferson Street 

• • Hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; seven days-per-week  

• Peter’s Place/Compass Hygiene Center, 77 S Washington St 

• • Hours: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday 

• Urban Rest Stop – Ballard, 2014-B NW 57th St 

• • Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday 

• Urban Rest Stop -Downtown,1924 Ninth Avenue 

• • Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Mon. – Fri./ 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat. – Sun.  

• Women’s Day Center, 1830 9th Ave 

• • Hours: 7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday

UPDATED: Public Drinking Fountains 

City employees have been working overtime including today to ensure more public drinking fountains are available. More than 200, fountains are now in operation. Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation crews have been working to quickly repair and bring online fountains that were either damaged or were shut-off to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Partnership with Pacific Place and Local Malls and Movie Theaters 
During extreme heat events, local malls (Pacific Place and Northgate Station in Seattle) and movie theaters provide good places to cool off and access to air conditioning. Understanding that many residents and visitors will likely be downtown or on the waterfront over the weekend, the City of Seattle has partnered with Pacific Place to provide promotions to residents who stop by to cool off and access the air conditioning through Monday, June 28. These promotions are entirely optional; cooling off at Pacific Place is available regardless of participation in the below promotions.  

Through Monday, all those who visit Pacific Place will have access to the following promotions:  

• AMC: Unlimited popcorn refills through Wednesday, June 30 
• AT&T: Buy two accessories, get one free 
• Aveda: Free liter of hand and body wash with $125 purchase through Sunday, June 27 
• Bezel & Kiln: Free gift with $50 purchase 
• Ghost Gallery: 10% off all purchases  
• The Handmade Showroom: Free gift with $20 purchase 
• Pike Place Chowder: 10% off chilled gazpacho  

King County Opens 24/7 Shelter in White Center                                         

The White Center Cooling Center is located 206 SW 112th St., in the Top Hat neighborhood, which is available to West Seattle residents. Those who are interested should call 206-572-5557. The Center offers a way for residents—including those experiencing homelessness—to escape the heat. The Center welcomes overnight stays as well as an air-conditioned area with water and refreshments for shorter visits.

Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center Opens as 24/7 Shelter 
The Human Services Department (HSD) today confirmed the planned opening of an emergency 24-hour emergency cooling shelter at Fisher Pavilion at Seattle Center (305 Harrison St) to provide relief from the elements for individuals experiencing homelessness. This is in addition to the current shelter open at Exhibition Hall at Seattle Center. This emergency shelter will be open from the morning of Saturday, June 26, through the morning of Tuesday, June 29. The shelter will be operated by the Salvation Army with capacity for 73 individuals. Meals will be provided to guests by Operation Sack Lunch.    

Seattle Parks Community Center Cooling Center Hours  

• International District/Chinatown Community Center (Sunday and Monday 2pm-8pm) 
• Northgate Community Center (Saturday and Sunday 2pm-8pm) 
• Rainier Beach Community Center (Saturday and Sunday 2pm-8pm)

Libraries  
The following libraries offer air-conditioned public space and can be used as a place to cool off when outdoor temperatures are high. The Central Library and several neighborhood branches are reopening this week during peak hours. Masks are still required regardless of vaccination status, and physical distancing remains in place. Please be sure to check Library hours online at SPL.org, or by calling our Ask Us line at 206-386-4636, before visiting.  

• Ballard Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  
• Beacon Hill Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  
•  Broadview Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  •  Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  
• Central Library  
  • Status: Reopening Levels 1, 3 and 5 on Tuesday, June 22  
  •  Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  
• Delridge Branch  
  • Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays  
• Douglass-Truth Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays  
• Greenwood Branch  
  • Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays  
• High Point Branch  
  • Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays  
• International District/Chinatown Branch               
  • Status: Reopening Sunday, June 27  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays  
• Lake City Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays   
• Magnolia Branch  
  • Status: Reopening Wednesday, June 23  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays  
• Rainier Beach Branch  
  • Status: Reopened  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays  
• South Park Branch  
  • Status: Reopening Thursday, June 24  
  • Hours: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays  

Beat the Heat: Stay Cool with The Arts

With the next few days bringing record-breaking heat to Seattle, Seattle Arts and Culture have put together a list of air-conditioned arts organizations you can visit to experience the vibrant arts and culture in our city all while staying cool!

Pools and Water Areas  

Wading pools will open to the public on the schedule below and spray parks will open to the public on Saturday, June 26.   

Wading pools (starting Saturday, June 26, noon-7pm unless otherwise listed)  

• Volunteer, 1400 E Galer St, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues  
• East Queen Anne, 160 Howe St., Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  
• Powell Barnett, 352 Martin Luther King Way, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  
• Dahl, 7700 25th Ave. NE, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues  
• Soundview, 1590 NW 90th St., Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues  
• Bitter Lake 13035 Linden Ave. N, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  
• Green Lake (opens 7/2), N 73rd and E Green Lake Dr. N, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  
• Van Asselt, 2820 S Myrtle St., Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  
• Delridge, 4501 Delridge Way SW, (12pm to 5:30pm), Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues  
• South Park, 8319 8th Ave. S, Sat/Sun/Mon/Tues  
• Lincoln, 8600 Fauntleroy Ave. SW, Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun  

Spray Parks (starting Saturday, June 26, 11am-8pm everyday)  

• 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  
• Yesler Terrace Park , 917 Yesler Way  

Lifeguarded Beaches (starting Saturday, June 26, 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  
• 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, 9 a.m. to 5: 30 p.m., visit here for public swim times.   
• Colman Pool, 8603 Fauntleroy Way SW, daily, noon to 7 p.m., visit here for public swim times.   

Human Services Department  
To support those living unsheltered in the excessive heat, over the coming days, the HOPE Team, in partnership with outreach providers, will be conducting welfare checks, handing out water and basic needs supplies, and providing other supports, including transportation to cooling centers and shelter. The City does have some limited availability of 24/7 enhanced shelter, tiny homes, and other shelter spaces. 

Lake City Community Center (15321 28th Ave NE), has been serving as a day center, will be open this weekend and Seattle Parks and Recreation has arranged for evaporative cooling at that location. Extended hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday. 

HSD Aging and Disability Services case managers, who work with vulnerable older adults, have been checking in with clients and distributing fans to those in need all week.   

Day Centers for People Experiencing Homelessness 

• Community Drop-In Center (Seattle Indian Center), 1265 S Main St suite 105 
  • Hours: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Monday – Friday/ 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday – Sunday (NEW EXTENDED HOURS) 
• God’s Lil Acre, 12521 33rd Ave NE 
  • Hours: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
• Immanuel Community Services, 1215 Thomas St 
  • Hours: 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
• The Salvation Army Jefferson Day Center, 4th Ave & Jefferson Street 
  • Hours: 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.; 7 days-a-week  
• Peter’s Place/Compass Hygiene Center, 77 S Washington St 
  • Hours: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
• Urban Rest Stop – Ballard, 2014-B NW 57th St 
  • Hours: 6:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
• Urban Rest Stop -Downtown,1924 Ninth Avenue 
  • Hours: 5:30 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.; Mon. – Fri./ 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.; Sat. -Sun.  
• Women’s Day Center, 1830 9th Ave 
  • Hours: 7am -3:30pm; Monday – Friday/ 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.; Saturday 

Senior Centers 

• Greenwood Senior Center, 525 N 85th St 
  • Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
  • Phone: 206-297-0875 
• Pike Market Senior Center, 85 Pike St, Suite 200 
  • Hours: 8:20 a.m. to 1 p.m.; 7 days-a-week 
  • Phone: 206-728-2773 
• Senior Center of West Seattle, 4217 SW Oregon St 
  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday 
  • Phone: 206-932-4044 
• Southeast Seattle Senior Center, 4655 South Holly St 
  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday – Friday/ 2 p.m. – 6 p.m.; Sunday (NEW EXTENDED HOURS) 
  • Phone: 206-722-0317 
• Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Ave S 
  • Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday 
  • Phone: 206-726-4926 
• Wallingford Community Senior Center, 4649 Sunnyside Ave N, Ste 140 
  • Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday  
  • Phone: 206-461-7825 

Seattle Center 

 
Seattle Center Armory will reopen to the public on July 1 and is equipped with air conditioning and filtration. View the campus map PDF.  

• Seattle Center Armory Food & Event Hall, opening July 1, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily  
• International Fountain, opens July 1, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily  
• Fountain of Creation (Dupen Fountain), closed for renovation  

Public Drinking Fountains 
In preparation for the extreme heat, more than 90 fountains are in operation. Seattle Public Utilities and Seattle Parks and Recreation crews have been working to quickly repair and bring online fountains that were either damaged or were shut-off to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Over the coming days, the City anticipates the daily restoration of dozens of drinking fountains, providing access to more drinking water during this high heat event, in neighborhoods across the city. 

Supportive Services  
The Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS) is coordinating with City departments to proactively respond to the upcoming heat event. FAS is supporting HSD and Parks by distributing supplies to shelter locations. The department also has designated teams in security, property management and logistics on 24-hour standby, that way it can be as nimble and responsive as possible throughout the heat event should additional resources need to be deployed.  

Seattle Public Utilities  
Because of the extreme heat forecasted, the City’s North and South Transfer Stations, operated by Seattle Public Utilities, will close at 2 pm on Sunday, June 27, and Monday, June 28, to self-haul service. The temporary, early closure protects SPU staff, who continue to wear masks per CDC guidance during the Covid-19 pandemic, from heat-related illnesses. It also reduces fire risk with certain types of self-haul waste. 

SPU Solid Waste contractors are also taking health precautions during the excessive heat watch and will begin servicing residential customer routes one hour earlier on Monday. SPU Monday customers are asked to set out their garbage, compost, and recycling by 6 am Monday.