D.C. activates heat emergency plan for weekend as temperatures soar nationwide

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has activated D.C.’s heat emergency plan through Monday as the District faces its hottest temperatures in over six years.

D.C. residents could be among the millions experiencing triple digit temperatures over the weekend as a heat wave continues to affect much of the country. In response to the heightened risk of heat-related health risks, Bowser said in a release the District’s heat emergency plan – which automatically activates when temperatures are sustained above 95 degrees – will be activated through Monday, extending public pool hours and opening cooling centers for all residents.

“It is going to stay very hot through the weekend, so please take care of yourself and the people around you,” Bowser said in a release. “We have activated a heat emergency through Monday, which means cooling centers are open citywide.”

Operating times for 11 public pools across the District, including Volta Park Pool in Georgetown, will be extended to 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the weekend. D.C. will also operate cooling centers, which include spray parks, libraries and recreation centers, to help keep residents safe during the heat wave.