Authorities are warning residents of scorching temperatures approaching in Santa Clara County, starting Friday and continuing well into next week.

The National Weather Service issued an “Excessive Heat Watch” for the Santa Clara Valley for Aug. 14 to 19, according to county officials. Temperatures and afternoon highs during this period are expected to surpass 100 degrees.

Cooling centers will be open for vulnerable residents to take shelter in an air-conditioned setting at the following times and locations:

1 to 9pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday

• Roosevelt Community Center, 901 E. Santa Clara St., San Jose
• Camden Community Center, 3369 Union Ave., San Jose
• Mayfair Community Center, 2039 Kammerer Ave., San Jose

1 to 7pm Friday and Saturday

• Mountain View Community Center, 201 S. Rengstorff Ave., Mountain View

1 to 5pm on Friday and Saturday

• Saratoga Library, 13650 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga
• Gilroy Library, 350 W. Sixth St., Gilroy

Noon to 8pm Friday and 1 to 7pm Saturday

• Campbell Community Center, Roosevelt Redwood Room, 1 W. Campbell Ave., Campbell

Open from 1 to 8pm Friday and Saturday

• Cupertino Senior Center, 21251 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino

1 to 6pm Friday

• Mitchell Park Community Center, El Palo Alto Room, 3700 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

1 to 7pm Friday and Saturday

• Santa Clara Senior Center, 1303 Fremont St., Santa Clara

County health officials reminded residents that Covid-19 social distancing guidelines apply even inside the cooling centers.

In a press release today, Santa Clara County officials said due to the potential for heat related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke, residents are encouraged to take precautionary measures, including:

• Drinking plenty of fluids with electrolytes and staying out of the sun and AC, when possible.
• Ensuring young kids and pets are never left in vehicles under any circumstance. This is especially true during warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal temperatures within minutes.
• Assisting others on the street who may be having a severe reaction to the heat, by calling 911.
• Checking on a vulnerable person without air conditioning, such as an older adult or infirm neighbor, someone with a drug or alcohol disorder or severe mental illness, via phone or email and ensuring that they are staying cool and safe.

The county Public Health Department also reminded residents to take the following Covid-19 precautions at the cooling centers:

• Do not enter if you have Covid-19 symptoms including fever, cough, diarrhea, headache, muscle aches, shortness of breath, unexplained loss of taste or smell
• Face covering is required (exception of children 6 years and under or if medically unadvisable).
• Maintain a minimum distance of six feet from others at all times.