Cooling Centers Will Open To Help Beat The Heat

Several Berkshire communities will open cooling centers this weekend to help residents beat the "feels like" heat of 100 degrees.

The Berkshire Eagle  reports Pittsfield and Adams will keep their senior centers open Friday through Sunday. Pittsfield residents will also be able to cool off at the Berkshire Athenaeum Friday and Saturday; Friday at The Christian Center; and Friday and Sunday at The Salvation Army.

North Adams expects to finalize its list of cooling centers Friday morning, but city officials said Thursday that the senior center and library will at least be available during regular business hours.

With forecasters predicting that the heat index will reach or break the century mark in the region over the next three days, the medical community urges people of all ages to avoid strenuous outdoor activity, as it could lead to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.