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Beaches reopen as heat wave hits Bay State

E-mail|Link|Comments () July 18, 2010 03:56 PM

By Alex Katz, Globe Correspondent

Two days after beaches across the state were closed due to elevated bacteria levels, all state-run beaches are now open for business, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The last beach to be designated safe, Shannon Beach in Winchester, was closed through most of the morning. But now all beaches are safe for swimming, said Wendy Fox, spokeswoman for the DCR.

The reasons for beach closings vary. Bacteria at some results from combined sewage and storm water overflow, particularly in older communities that are still working to update their sewage infrastructure, state health and water resource officials said.

For updates on beach closures and openings, Massachusetts residents can call the hotline at 617-626-4972, or visit the Department of Public Health’s website.

On Friday, Mayor Thomas M. Menino issued a heat advisory and ordered city pools that are usually closed on Sundays to be open for extended hours today. Pools around the city will remain open to the public until 8 p.m.

The news of the beach and pool openings comes at a good time, as Bay Staters look to cool off on another day when temperatures hit the 90s, according to the National Weather Service.

The high temperature today was recorded at 91 degrees at Logan Airport as of mid-afternoon, according to a spokesman at the Weather Service. That makes three days of temperatures over 90 and means the Boston area is officially experiencing a heat wave.

This heat is expected to continue through Monday with temperatures in the 90s and high levels of humidity, according to the Weather Service forecast.

The heat index may reach about 100 degrees in some areas, but the possibility of showers and thunderstorms tomorrow evening could finally began to abate the sweltering weather.