Swimming in the region’s rivers and streams used to be the go-to for beating summer heat, though that’s largely frowned upon these days.
But finding ways to keep cool when the mercury soars is an age-old struggle and people have been finding ways for as long as people have lived in the Alle-Kiski Valley.
Growing up in Oakmont, Mike Luciana, Tom Alberti and Harry Helwig would swim at the Willows and Oakmont Yacht Club, where you could get a season pass for just a few bucks.
After swimming, they would often stop at a local shop for root-beer floats.
Decades after the pool closed in the 70s, the trio now keeps cool at least once a week by utilizing the air conditioning at the Pittsburgh Mills mall, where they meet for lunch and to catch up.
Now, money could be a barrier to fun, said Helwig, who doesn’t see as many kids out-and-about anymore.
“Things are different than when we grew up,” he said.
This week, the National Weather Service projected four days to hit temperatures in the 90s.
Though the heat is hard to ignore, so far this year, the temperatures aren’t as high as they were the preceding two years.
In 2025, there were 17 days above 90 degrees, eight of which were in July, and, in 2024, there were 24 total days above 90, with 11 being in July.
So far, there have been six days that have reached 90 or above, five of which have been this month.
Keeping cool then vs. now
In Pittsburgh, there are dedicated cooling centers, but outside city limits, they become scarce.
In the Alle-Kiski Valley, that doesn’t stop people from using the resources they have, said Kelli McIntyre, CEO of the Valley Point YMCA, which includes the New Kensington, Harrison and Allegheny Township locations.
She said people, especially teens looking to beat the late-afternoon heat, often will hang out in the air-conditioned New Kensington center’s lobby.
While the center and other local spots like Knead Café and Peoples Library weren’t intended for purpose of cooling, McIntyre said in the summer people will visit them to keep cool.
“There’s a lot of places that are always open,” she said.
Still, summer numbers dwindle a bit for the YMCA, aside from pool use, which is popular for groups of all ages, she said.
The center’s indoor fitness classes are also well attended, she said.
“Anything to beat the heat and still keep moving,” McIntyre said.
She hopes the New Kensington center some day can operate a splash pad, like the ones in Tarentum and Deer Lakes Park, but that’s a matter of securing funds.
Back in the day, rather than a splash pad, Linda Mullen, a Morningside native, and her friends would cool off using makeshift sprinklers.
“We used to tie a hose up,” Mullen said.
That and swimming in the Highland Park Swimming Pool are fond memories, said Mullen, 72, who is now a resident at Hillcrest Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center in Lower Burrell.
To stay cool now, she keeps the air conditioning in her room at a steady 68 degrees.
Sara Barnett, 91, of Penn Hills keeps cool by taking a new approach in the kitchen.
She doesn’t bake in the summer and tries to eat foods like fruit and salad, which she said helps keep her cool.
Dorothy Houser, 72, of New Kensington, does the same, and tries to avoid the outdoor heat if she can.
“I stay inside or go to my daughter’s pool,” Houser said.
Where to cool off
In the A-K Valley, some dedicated cooling centers do exist, including the Pleasant Valley Volunteer Fire Company in O’Hara , which is open to all, and in Vandergrift the Westmoreland County Centers for Active Adults is open to older residents, according to PA 211.
There also are a number of pools across the region, including in Harrison, Gilpin, Allegheny Township, Plum and Kittanning.
Also in Westmoreland County, Westmoreland County Libraries operate one at Ligonier Valley Library, according to PA 211.
Greensburg Hempfield Area Library also advertised that they offer a cooling center as well.
Through Thursday in Pittsburgh, cooling centers will be open in Greenfield, Beechview, Homewood, Mt. Washington, Sheraden and the South Side.
The Allegheny County Department of Human Services issued a Code Red Heat Advisory for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, but temperatures are expected to taper off into the 80s toward the weekend.
To find a cooling center, residents can call 211 or visit southwest.pa211.org/summer-resources/.