Columbus libraries and pools remind they are open to public as way to beat intense heat

Although the last weeks of summer are upon us, the heat still has some things to say this week before it sees itself out.

Thankfully, the Columbus Metropolitan Library reminds it offers refuge for people to escape high temperatures in the 90s this week with a heat index into the 100s. All 23 of the metro library branches are open and available for those seeking a reprieve from the punishing heat, offering public computers, free Wi-Fi, books and magazines to keep visitors occupied while they stay cool.

The Columbus Recreation and Parks Department is also opening up some of its facilities so residents can keep cool, according to a Tuesday press release . The following facilities will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Friday.

• Dodge Community Center, 667 Sullivant Ave.
• Driving Park Community Center, 1100 Rhoads Ave.
• Glenwood Community Center, 1888 Fairmont Ave.
• Linden Community Center, 1350 Briarwood Ave.
• Marion Franklin Community Center, 2801 Lockbourne Road

Some of Columbus' public pools will also have extended hours for residents looking to cool off with a dip in the pool.

• The Dodge and Drive Park pools will be open 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday with no admission fee.
• The Barnett, Blackburn, Linden and Scioto Southland spray grounds will we open from 2 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Friday

Heat advisory, air quality alert issued for central Ohio counties

The city will once again be grappling with some intense humidity and heat this week, according to the National Weather Services in Wilmington. The NWS has issued a heat advisory starting Tuesday until 8 p.m. Wednesday for several central Ohio counties, including Franklin, Licking, Fairfield, Union, and Delaware counties.

Additionally, the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission on Monday issued an air quality alert until 9 p.m. Monday, the Dispatch previously reported. Delaware, Franklin, and Licking counties and the city of Lancaster are in the alert's area.

Here is the weather outlook through the weekend:

• Wednesday : There's a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 96. The chance of precipitation is 20%.
• Wednesday night : There's a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 2 a.m. It'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 71. The chance of precipitation is 40%. Less than a tenth of an inch of rainfall is expected, but more could fall if it storms.
• Thursday : It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 94.
• Thursday night : It'll be partly cloudy with a low around 71.
• Friday : There's a chance of showers after 2 p.m. It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 94. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Friday night : There's a chance of showers with thunderstorms also possible after 8 p.m. It'll be mostly cloudy with a low around 69. The chance of precipitation is 40%.
• Saturday : It'll be mostly sunny with a high near 87.
• Saturday night : It'll be mostly clear with a low around 62.
• Sunday : It'll be sunny with a high near 86.

smeighan@dispatch.com

@ShahidMeighan

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus libraries and pools remind they are open to public as way to beat intense heat