Extreme heat wave has begun with more places opening for cooling

A heat wave with four consecutive days with temperatures around 100°F has begun with the temperature at Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport recorded at that level at 5:30 p.m. The heat index was recorded at 103°F at 4:53 p.m.

Today more options are becoming available for those who want a safe place to sit and get out of the heat.

“With dangerously high temperatures expected to continue, Greene County Emergency Services will open a Cooling Center beginning Wednesday, July 1, 2026, to provide a safe, air-conditioned place for residents to escape the heat,” reads a posting on the agency’s Facebook page.

That will be located at the EMS Building at 9825 Spotswood Trail in Stanardsville. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Greene County EMS also urges people to check on those who may be vulnerable to heat-related illnesses.

For those in other parts of the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health has set up a database where people can search places designated as cooling centers. Take a look here.

“As Virginia expects record-breaking high temperatures leading up to and throughout the holiday weekend, the safety of all our neighbors is my highest priority,” said Governor Abigail Spanberger in an information release. “I am asking Virginians to do all you can to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Stay hydrated, stay cool, and check on your neighbors.”

To provide more places for people to cool down who may not have air conditioning, Albemarle County is dropping entrance fees at three county parks with lakes. You can go to Chris Greene Lake Park, Mint Springs Park, and Walnut Creek Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Saturday, July 4. 

“Albemarle County’s Office of Emergency Management is actively monitoring weather conditions, including heat advisories or warnings issued for our region,” reads an information release sent out yesterday afternoon. 

The United States Centers for Disease Control offers a heat risk tracking tool. Today there is a “major” risk and that goes up to “extreme” for both Thursday and Friday before going back to “major” on Saturday.

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