Miami has seen some pretty extreme (and dangerous) heat this week, with the daily heat index soaring past 105 degrees and numerous advisories issued by the National Weather Service across South Florida. There’s unfortunately no relief in sight, with extreme conditions expected to stick through the weekend and the upcoming workweek.
This means that knowing where to cool off during this prolonged heat is more important than ever.
Luckily, Miami-Dade County has a vast number of cooling centers and air-conditioned locations where the public can find some respite from the high temperatures and suffocating humidity. These sites include everywhere from libraries to parks and community centers.
How to find your nearest cooling site
While you can find a full list of locations available on the Miami-Dade website, the county has also put together an easy-to-use interactive map to help you find the nearest one.
Just enter your address (or wherever you’ll be) on the top left corner and the map will instantly show you the places to cool off. You can also view its operational hours and which Commission District it is located in.
Because hours and locations can change, it’s a good idea to check the map before heading to a cooling center to make sure it’s open. You can find the map online here.
How to stay safe in excessive heat
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Minimize sun exposure and stay indoors when possible
- Seek out air conditioning
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitting and light-colored clothing to reflect heat away from your body
- Reduce or reschedule strenuous outdoor activities until the coolest times of the day (early morning or late evening)
- Check up on relatives, neighbors and pets
- Watch out for signs of heat-related illnesses and seek medical attention when there are symptoms
The county’s official Heat Season runs from May 1 through October 31. For more ways to stay safe and beat the heat, visit miamidade.gov/heat.
