Cooling sites have been set up throughout York County in advance of dangerously high temperatures rolling in beginning today and lasting throughout the weekend.

Cooling Centers that have committed:

• Alfred Town Hall – hours of operation – TBD
• Biddeford—Seeds of Hope (35 South Street, Biddeford) Saturday 11 – 6, Sunday 12 – 6
• South Berwick Community Center – Hours of operation – afternoon-early evening times TBD
• The York Public Library—Friday  10 – 5, Sat & Sun, 10-2
• York Fire Stations—Friday, Saturday and Sunday 24 hrs.

All York County cooling sites can be found HERE

“The worst of the heat will be across southern Maine, south of the mountains where we expect Heat index values to be 95 to 100 degrees,” says Chris Kimball, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service office in Gray. “Portland, we’re expecting heat index value on Saturday to approach 100 degrees. Fryeburg a little bit higher than that. And Sanford, 105 is within range.”

Kimball says that heat index value will come from temperatures in the 90s along with a high “dew point,” which makes it difficult to cool off.

Cooling centers will be open throughout the state – including at libraries, fire stations and community centers in Cumberland and Sagadahoc Counties. A list of centers from the Maine Emergency Management Agency will be updated as the day goes on.

The heat and humidity won’t stay around long, though.

Kimball says a cold front will begin moving on Sunday, and although it will still be hot that day, it is expected to be cooler and drier next week.