Pasadena is opening cooling centers Friday, Oct. 2, through Sunday, Oct. 4, as temperatures are forecast to reach 101 degrees.

The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Watch on Wednesday, Sept. 30, covering parts of Los Angeles, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties from Friday through Thursday, Oct. 8. NWS meteorologist Mike Wofford told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune the heat wave's length is "exceptional" for any time of year, with the potential to last two weeks.

Robinson Park Recreation Center, 1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., will serve as the official cooling center Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The center's phone number is (626) 744-7330. On Sunday, the cooling center moves to Jackie Robinson Community Center, 1020 N. Fair Oaks Ave., open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. That center can be reached at (626) 744-7300.

The La Pintoresca Park Splash Pad at 45 E. Washington Blvd. will also have extended hours, though the city had not announced specific times as of Thursday, Oct. 1.

Pasadena's public libraries, Victory Park Recreation Center and Villa Parke Community Center are not official cooling centers but offer air-conditioned space during regular hours, according to PasadenaNow.

The NWS forecast calls for highs near 99 on Friday and up to 101 over the weekend, according to Colorado Boulevard. The heat could last two weeks. The NWS warned of temperatures up to 105 in the valleys and said conditions could extend into the second week of October.

Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said during a prior heat event in August that "heat kills more people in the United States each year than floods, storms, and lightning combined." Pasadena Public Health officials are repeating that message, urging residents to drink water frequently, limit outdoor activity, wear light and loose-fitting clothing and check on neighbors, especially older adults and people with limited mobility. Leaving children or pets in parked cars is dangerous and illegal, the department said.

Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) is asking customers to set thermostats to 78 degrees or higher and cut electricity use between 4 and 9 p.m. The utility also recommends closing blinds during the hottest hours, turning off lights and unplugging electronics, avoiding use of the stove or oven and charging electric vehicles during off-peak hours. Power emergencies can be reported at (626) 744-4673 and water emergencies at (626) 744-4138.

Pasadena Transit buses can take riders to any community center or library.

Pasadena Dial-A-Ride members can schedule rides by calling (626) 791-7200. Residents can sign up for emergency alerts through the Pasadena Local Emergency Alert System (PLEAS) and find cooling center and air quality updates on the city's Extreme Weather Portal at CityOfPasadena.net. The Extreme Heat Watch runs through Oct. 8, but the NWS said an extension is possible.