The needle wouldn’t budge.

For three solid, sweaty hours Tuesday, the National Weather Service’s online readout of the temperature at Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport hovered at 99 degrees – one degree enough to break an 80-year-old state record for a June high but lacking the drama of the triple-digit reports by The Weather Channel, Weather Underground and WPRI.

Right on deadline, with a stiff, withering breeze in the Sahara-like air in T.F. Green’s backyard, the government’s needle moved. One hundred degrees, for nearly a week the widely forecast high for Tuesday, was now confirmed by the federal government’s meteorological agency.

The practical effects of that forecast had been in motion for days.

Mayor Kenneth Hopkins announced the early opening of the Cooney Playground splash pad Monday as a response to the record high temperatures hitting the Ocean State this week.

Cranston’s original splash pad off Oak Street and near Hugh B. Bain Middle School, opened in July 2023 and was fully funded by Community Development Block Grants.

It is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Hopkins also announced that the Cranston Public Library branches and the Cranston Senior Center are open as cooling centers during normal business hours.

The Senior Center is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at 1070 Cranston St. Hours of operation for each library branch can be found at cranstonlibrary.org/locations/. The Central Library Branch opens at 9 a.m. Monday through Saturday. All library branches are closed on Sundays.

This week has been unusually high temperatures for June. National Weather Service Meteorologist Matthew Belk said that the high 70s are more typical for late June. NWS is predicting a mid-week cooldown, but it will probably still be in the high 80s or low 90s.

Belk said the agency advises caution, to listen to your body and watch for signs for heat exhaustion.

The state Department of Health says that high temperatures can cause heat stroke, heat exhaustion or heat cramps. Vulnerable populations for heat-related illness during periods of extreme heat include babies and young children, pregnant women, children and teens with asthma, older adults, people who work outdoors and people with chronic medical conditions (such as heart disease, diabetes or obesity).

Tips from the Department of Health:

When you are outside during extreme heat: 

• Stay out of the sun.
• Wear a hat with a brim and sunscreen for protection.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine. 
• If you exercise, pace yourself.
• Schedule outdoor events early in the morning, when it is cooler and the air quality is better.
• Wear light-colored and lightweight clothing.

When you are inside during extreme heat: 

• Use air conditioning or fans, and window shades or curtains to keep your house cool.
• Take cool showers or baths. Avoid cooking food indoors.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and caffeine.
• Never leave children, pets or older adults in unattended cars. 

Watch for warning signs: 

Check on friends, family and neighbors during periods of extreme heat. Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy sweating, cold, pale and clammy skin, nausea or vomiting, fatigue, dizziness or headache. If someone is showing signs of heat exhaustion, move them to a cool place and remove unnecessary clothing; put cool, wet cloths on their body (neck, under the arms and groin), use a fan and have them sip water or a sports drink. Call medical help (911) if symptoms get worse or last longer than one hour.