‘Extremely Rare’ March Heat Wave Prompts City Plan to Open Cooling Centers

The City of Pasadena will open the Jackie Robinson Community Center as a cooling center beginning Monday, as the National Weather Service forecasts what it calls an “extremely rare” March heat wave, with temperatures expected to reach the upper 90s and exceed 100 degrees for much of the week.

The NWS issued an Extreme Heat Watch for Los Angeles County and surrounding areas from 10 a.m. Monday through 8 p.m. Friday, warning of dangerously high temperatures 20 to 30 degrees above normal.

Forecasters said the heat wave could bring some of the hottest March conditions Southern California has seen since 1988, with the peak expected Tuesday through Thursday.

The cooling center at the Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will operate Monday, March 16 through Wednesday, March 18, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Residents can call (626) 744-7300 for more information.

“Any relief will be kind of minor and brief,” said Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service Los Angeles. “It definitely makes it more taxing on folks.”

Pasadena Public Health and safety officials urged residents to stay hydrated, limit outdoor activity, check on neighbors—especially older adults and those with limited mobility—and never leave children or pets in vehicles.

Leaving a child or pet in a car is both dangerous and illegal, the city said, and bystanders are allowed to intervene.

They also suggested:

• Find Relief Indoors: Residents who don’t have access to air conditioning or a fan at home are encouraged to visit a public library or community center, which provide air-conditioned indoor relief from extreme heat.
• Dress for the Weather: Wear light, loose-fitting clothing and stay in shaded areas. Don’t forget sunscreen!
• Outdoor Workers: Employers must provide a cool-down rest period if requested.

The Pasadena Public Libraries are not official cooling centers but offer air-conditioned spaces during regular hours. Library branch hours are available at PasadenaPublicLibrary.net.

Pasadena Transit bus routes can take residents to cooling locations, and Dial-A-Ride members can schedule rides by calling (626) 791-7200.

City pools will also be available. The John J. Kennedy Pool at 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave. can be reached at (626) 744-7330, and the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center at 360 N. Arroyo Blvd. at (626) 564-0330.

The Pasadena Ice Skating Center at 300 E. Green St. is another option; call (626) 578-0800.

Pasadena Water and Power urged customers to conserve energy during the heat, recommending that thermostats be set to 78 degrees or higher, appliance use be limited during peak hours of 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and electric vehicles be charged during off-peak times.

PWP also suggested its customers can:

• Open windows in the early morning/evening to ventilate your home; close blinds during the hottest parts of the day.
• Limit use of large appliances.
• Turn off lights and unplug electronics when not in use.
• Avoid using the stove or oven.

For power emergencies, residents should call PWP at (626) 744-4673. For water emergencies, call (626) 744-4138.

Dr. Muntu Davis, the Los Angeles County health officer, warned in a separate statement this week that heat is the leading weather-related killer in the country. Those most at risk, Davis said, include older adults, young children, outdoor workers and people with chronic medical conditions.

Residents can sign up for the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System, known as PLEAS, at CityOfPasadena.net/Fire/PLEAS/ to receive text and voice alerts during emergencies.

Nixle alerts are also available at Nixle.com by selecting Pasadena ZIP codes.

During emergencies, the city broadcasts information on KPAS—Channel 3 on Charter, Channel 99 on AT&T U-verse—and streams it at CityOfPasadena.net/Media.

The NWS warned that the Extreme Heat Watch area could expand to additional communities as the forecast solidifies. The watch is scheduled to remain in effect through Friday evening.