PORTLAND, Ore. — Just a few days removed from an extended stretch of 90-degree weather, another heat wave is coming to the Portland metro area.
And while the Oregon Coast will be much cooler, with highs in the 60s, leaving town isn't option for many Portlanders.
So here's some options for beating the heat in Portland over the next week.
Multnomah County will operate a cooling shelter at its East County building, located at 600 NE 8th St., in Gresham, on Monday from 5 to 9 p.m. They'll host games and a movie for kids, as well as snacks. For information about the cooling center, contact 2-1-1.
Traditional places to keep cool, such as library branches and community centers, have been plotted by Multnomah and Washington counties on handy maps.
How are you beating the heat? Share your pics with us!
Portland's public pools opened last month, and the city released handy maps for indoor pools and outdoor pools so you can escape without going quite so far.
Snow will be falling at the Lloyd Center ice rink during July from 12 - 8 p.m.
Beat the heat: 20 tips and hacks for keeping cool
The folks at PDX Parent have put together a great list of places and activities for you and your kids during the hot summer days (but you don't have to be a parent to enjoy them). Here are just a few:
- Portland Art Museum has family tours
- Grand Central and KingPins have a Kids Bowl Free program
- Multnomah County Library is always cool (and has a summer reading program)
They've also put together these handy maps:
Here are some more tips for staying safe and healthy during extreme heat, from Oregon Health Authority:
Stay cool
- Stay in air-conditioned places when temperatures are high, if possible.
- Limit exposure to the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest.
- Try to schedule activities in the morning and evening.
- Open windows to allow fresh air to circulate, especially during morning and evening hours, and close shades on west-facing windows during the afternoon hours.
- Use portable electric fans to remove hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air.
- Wear loose-fitting clothing to keep cool and protect your skin from the sun.
- Use cool compresses, misting, and cool showers and baths.
- Avoid hot foods and heavy meals; they add heat to the body.
- Never leave infants or children in a parked car. Nor should pets be left in parked cars--they can suffer heat-related illness, too.
- Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
- Use sunscreen with at least SPF 15 when going outside.
Stay hydrated
- Regardless of your level of activity, drink plenty of fluids, even if you are not thirsty, and especially when working outside.
- Avoid alcohol or liquids containing large amounts of sugar.
Stay informed
- Keep up-to-date on the temperature and heat index when planning your activities so you can find ways to stay cool and hydrated. The heat index measures how hot it feels outside when factoring in humidity with the actual air temperature.
- Learn how to prevent, recognize, and treat heat-related illnesses. Know the warning signs of heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn and heat rash, and how to treat and prevent them. More info from the CDC