Fayetteville to see temperatures above normal

Fayetteville will see temperatures above normal for July over the next few days, and Cumberland County officials want to make sure people without air conditioning have a place to stay cool.

The county announced Wednesday that it has opened select buildings as cooling stations for those residents who do not have access to air conditioning.

The National Weather Service has issued a heat advisory until 7 p.m. Wednesday for Cumberland County with a heat index value up to 109 degrees.

At 3 p.m. Wednesday, the temperature in Fayetteville was 95 degrees with a heat index of 107, the National Weather Service said.

“The temperature reported is actually the temperature in the shade,’’ said meteorologist Aaron Swiggett.

The warm temperatures are expected to continue Thursday with a heat index of 100 to 105 degrees, Swiggett said.

Fayetteville is seeing temperatures four to five degrees above normal. The normal high for Fayetteville is 91 degrees, Swiggett said.

Cooling stations

The county said these buildings are available as cooling stations:                                                                                                   

• The auxiliary lobby on the first floor at the Department of Social Services at 1225 Ramsey St. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Masks or face coverings are optional. However, masks and social distancing are encouraged, the county said.
• The first-floor lobby of the Cumberland County Department of Public Health at 1235 Ramsey St. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Anyone entering the Health Department is required to wear a mask and receive a temperature scan.

All eight Cumberland County public libraries also are open as cooling stations, the county said. Libraries are open Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane is also open Sundays from 2 to 6 p.m. 

The 18 Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks & Recreation Centers — which are open to the public year-round during normal operating hours — may also be used by residents to escape the heat.

Extreme heat and humidity will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working in outdoor activities, the county said.

Swiggett said people who work outdoors should take breaks often and be aware of heat-related illnesses and symptoms. He also reminded people to:

• Drink plenty of fluids.
• Check on elderly relatives and neighbors and make sure they have adequate ways to stay cool.
• And never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles.

Fayetteville could see some severe storms later Wednesday with the potential for wind gusts of 58 mph or greater, the weather service said. 

The area could see relief this weekend. A cold front expected to pass through on Saturday could bring below-normal temperatures Sunday and Monday. The high Sunday is expected to be 83 degrees.