BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Warming centers opened Friday across the City of Boston, as sub-zero temperatures are predicted to linger throughout the weekend.
According to Mayor Marty Walsh, more than a dozen warming centers will be open to the public on Friday and Saturday.
"With this weekend’s bitterly cold weather, it is essential that we support and look out for each other," Walsh said Friday. "The City of Boston has activated the use of warming centers [Friday] until 6 p.m. and tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m."
Temperatures in Massachusetts dropped to single digits early Friday, prompting a weather emergency to be declared in Boston through January 31st.
The National Weather Service Boston said Friday morning brought the city's coldest temperature in two years.
"Boston has dropped to 7 degrees as of 8 AM," NWS Boston said. "This is the coldest it has been in the city since January 31st, 2019 when the temperature dropped to 5 above."
The City of Boston said wind chill values Friday were predicted to be as low as -8 degrees Fahrenheit.
"[Temperatures are] expected to be as low as -7 degrees Fahrenheit on Saturday, before rising to above freezing temperatures," City officials said Friday. "The City is also tracking and monitoring a possible winter storm that's expected to arrive late Monday into early Tuesday, and preparations are being made to support the needs of Boston residents."
According to NWS Boston, there is "the potential" for a significant winter storm late Monday into Tuesday.
"If this storm materializes significant snow accumulations would be possible for some along with a period of strong winds & coastal flooding along the eastern MA coast," NWS Boston tweeted.
Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Walsh said all visitors at Boston warming centers will be required to wear face masks or coverings in all public places indoors and outdoors, even when they are able to maintain 6 feet distance from others.
Additionally, Walsh urged Bostonians to call 911 if they see someone in distress during the cold weather this weekend.
"We are here to help and make sure people are safe," Walsh said.
According to the City's website, visitors to the warming centers must bring their own water bottles, and must limit belongings to one small bag. Occupancy will be monitored to ensure it doesn't exceed 25 percent of the building's maximum permitted occupancy to maintain proper distancing. The spaces will be cleaned and disinfected hourly.
The locations of the warming centers include:
Allston/Brighton: BCYF Jackson-Mann Community Center, 500 Cambridge St., Allston
Charlestown: BCYF Charlestown Community Center, 255 Medford St., Charlestown
Dorchester: BCYF Holland Community Center, 85 Olney St., Dorchester
East Boston: BCYF Paris Street Community Center, 112 Paris St., East Boston
Hyde Park: BCYF Hyde Park Community Center, 1179 River St., Hyde Park
Jamaica Plain: BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St., Jamaica Plain
Mattapan: BCYF Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan
North End: BCYF Nazzaro Community Center, 30 N. Bennet St., Boston
Roslindale: BCYF Menino Community Center, 125 Brookway Rd., Roslindale
Roxbury: BCYF Tobin Community Center,1481 Tremont St., Boston
South Boston: BCYF Condon Community Center, 200 D St., S. Boston
South End: BCYF Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline Street, Boston
West Roxbury: BCYF Roche Community Center,1716 Centre St., West Roxbury
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Written by Brit Smith
(Photo: Getty Images)