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City of Charlottesville Designates Locations to Cool Down Ahead of Forecasted High Temperatures

Charlottesville Fire News Posted on July 23, 2025 | Last Updated on July 24, 2025

For Immediate Release
July 23, 2025

City of Charlottesville Designates Locations to Cool Down Ahead of Forecasted High Temperatures

Charlottesville, VA — Due to the extreme high temperatures forecasted in the area this weekend, the City of Charlottesville will designate the following locations as cooling centers:

  • Key Recreation Center (800 E Market Street) open 12 PM - 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 12 PM - 11 PM Friday, and 1 PM - 6 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Tonsler Recreation Center (501 Cherry Avenue) open 12 PM - 8 PM Monday through Friday, 12 PM - 6 PM Saturday, and closed on Sunday.
  • Jefferson – Madison Regional Library (Central Branch, 201 E Market Street) open 9 AM - 9 PM Monday through Thursday, 9 AM - 5 PM Friday and Saturday, closed Sunday.
  • The Haven (112 W Market Street) 7 AM – 12 PM then 1 PM - 5 PM Monday through Friday and open 7 AM - 12 PM on Saturday and Sunday.
  • Salvation Army (207 Ridge Street) open 10 AM - 3 PM every day. 

Additionally, the following libraries at UVA will be open to the public as locations to cool down:

  • Charles L. Brown Science & Engineering Library (291 McCormick Road) open 9 AM - 6 PM Friday, 1 PM - 5 PM Saturday, and 1 PM - 8 PM Sunday.
  • Clemons Library (164 McCormick Road) open 9 AM - 6 PM Friday, 1 PM - 5 PM Saturday, and 1 PM - 8 PM Sunday.
  • Harrison Institute/Small Special Collections Library (170 McCormick Road) open 9 AM - 5 PM Friday, 12 PM - 4 PM Saturday, and closed Sunday.
  • The Edgar Shannon Library (160 McCormick Road) open 9 AM - 6 PM Friday, 1 PM - 5 PM Saturday, and 1 PM - 8 PM Sunday.

Visit https://library.virginia.edu/hours for additional information about the UVA libraries.

And the following community centers in Albemarle County will be open as well:

  • Greenwood Community Center (865 Greenwood Road, Crozet, VA 22932) open 9 AM - 6 PM Friday
  • Yancey Community Center (7625 Porters Road, Esmont, VA 22937) open 9 AM - 6 PM Friday and Saturday

Stay indoors and, if possible, stay in an air-conditioned environment. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to a recreation center or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat.

The City of Charlottesville also strongly urges the public to stay informed on heat safety to prevent heat-related illnesses. The following are warning signs of illnesses that are commonly seen in extreme high temperatures:

Heat Cramps - Symptoms of heat cramps include muscle cramps and pains that most often occur in the legs or abdomen, very heavy sweating, fatigue, and thirst.
Heat Exhaustion – Symptoms of heat exhaustion include headache, dizziness and light-headedness, weakness, nausea and vomiting, cool, moist skin, and dark urine.
Heat Stroke – Symptoms of heat stroke include fever (temperature above 104 °F), irrational behavior, extreme confusion, dry, hot, and red skin, rapid or shallow breathing, rapid or weak pulse, seizures, and unconsciousness. 

If you think a person may have a heat illness or heat-related emergency:

  • Have the person lie down in a cool place.
  • Apply cool, wet cloths (or cool water directly) to the person's skin and use a fan to lower body temperature. Place cold compresses on the person's neck, groin, and armpits.
  • If alert, give the person water or a sports drink to sip.
  • For muscle cramps, give beverages as noted above and massage affected muscles gently, but firmly, until they relax.
  • If the person shows signs of shock (bluish lips and fingernails and decreased alertness), starts having seizures, or loses consciousness, call 911 and give first aid as needed.

Although anyone at any time can suffer from a heat-related illness, some groups are at greater susceptibility. Check regularly on:

  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure

If you must be out in the heat:

  • Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
  • Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour. A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage.
  • Try to rest often in shady areas.
  • Wear a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (be sure to reapply sunscreen every two hours).
  • Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask them how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
  • Avoid liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar – these cause you to lose more body fluid. Avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
  • Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
  • NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.

Read more on heat safety and heat-related illness prevention on the Center for Disease Control & Prevention's website (link).


Media Contact
Kyle Ervin
Public Safety Information Officer
City of Charlottesville
ervinkl@charlottesville.gov
(434) 326-3043