Dangerous Heat Wave to Hit Buffalo, New York

How to stay cool in the City of Good Neighbors as temperatures near 100 degrees.

Anyone who associates Buffalo weather with snow should come to visit this week, as we’re expecting temperatures to get up into the 90s and stay that way for a few days.

In a region known more for snow squalls than the ability to bake cookies on vehicle dashboards, Buffalo has never had a 100 degree day. Will that change this week? Accuweather’s forecast for Monday warns that the 82 degree high is the “start of an extended heat wave; stay hydrated.” The “real feel” temperature for the rest of the week is in the 90s until the possibility of rain on Saturday offers some relief.

Other than drinking plenty of water, what can we do to stay safe in the heat? The Red Cross says the average person needs about ¾ of a gallon of water daily for basic metabolic functions; you’ll likely need more than that this week in order to fight off dehydration and heat exhaustion, especially if you work or spend a lot of time outside. If you’re very active outdoors, you might want to add sports drinks to your beverage lineup to replace the electrolytes lost through sweat. But don’t add sugary or caffeinated beverages to the grocery list as a way to stay hydrated; those won’t help -- and neither will that cold beer or wine. The Red Cross also warns against relying only on electric fans to stay cool. “When temperatures are in the high 90s, fans may not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath or moving into an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.”

If you have an air conditioner unit at home, now’s the time to get it set up for the season and make sure it’s in good working order.

Other heat preparation and safety tips include wearing light, loose clothing, wide-brimmed hats and knowing the signs of heat stroke, whi

Mayor Byron Brown’s office last week announced the city’s splash pads will be open, starting Monday, from 11 a.m. until 8 p.m., longer than the typical hours of 2-7 p.m., to provide relief from the heat. Splash pads can be found at:

● Ralph Wilson Park on Porter Avenue;

● Allison Park on Reese Street;

● MLK Jr. Park at the intersection of Best Street and Filmore Avenue;

● Lanigan Park on South Park Ave;

● Lincoln Park on Quincy Street;

● Cazenovia Park behind the casino;

● Houghton Park on Spahn Street;

● Schiller Park on the Sprenger Street side;

● Roosevelt Park on Roosevelt Avenue; and

● The Kensington Pool and Splash Pad on Kensington Avenue.

City pools are also available indoors at the Cazenovia Pool on Abbott Road and the Lovejoy Pool on Lovejoy Street.

If you have pets, remember to NEVER leave them in a car alone in the heat, not even for a moment, not even if the air conditioning is on or with a window open. “On an 85-degree day, even marked in the shade with the windows open, the temperature inside a car will climb to 104 degrees in 10 minutes, and to 119 degrees in 30 minutes. With the humidity we experience here in Buffalo, it may go even higher,” the SPCA warns. “Becuase a dog’s normal body temperature is 101-102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, he can withstand a body temperature of 107-109 degrees for only a very short time before suffering irreparable brain damage or death.”

Even at home, make sure your pets have plenty of access to shade and water to keep them healthy. This will be a good week for evening or early morning walks, when the temperature is a little cooler than in the height of the sun’s rays in the afternoon.

If you have other furry pets, like bunnies, the SPCA suggests freezing a water bottle, then wrapping it in cloth and putting that in the animal’s cage to help cool them down.

If you see an animal left outside without access to shade or water, or left alone in a vehicle, call the SPCA Serving Erie County at 716-875-7360, ext. 214