A stretch of hot, humid weather will bring unusually high temperatures across much of Maine early this week.

The combination of heat and humidity will make some spots in Maine feel like the mid- to upper 90s, prompting towns to open cooling centers and remind people to take precautions against the soaring temperatures.

“We’re looking at daytime highs that will be about 10 to 15 degrees above normal,” said Sarah Jamison, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in Gray. The hot spots will be from the Midcoast over to the Western Maine foothills, she said.

Temperatures on Monday and Tuesday are likely to hit 95 or higher in Augusta, Waterville, Fryeburg and Farmington, while staying slightly cooler in other inland areas. Portland and towns along the southern coast will be in the low 90s.

“By the time we get to Wednesday, we could have a little more cloud cover, but generally the same oppressive heat and an uptick in humidity,” Jamison said.

Overnight lows in the 60s will provide some relief.

The weather service has issued a heat advisory for much of central, southwest and western Maine, where heat index values in the mid-90s are expected. The advisory is in effect from 11 a.m. Monday to 8 p.m. Tuesday.

It is possible that parts of Maine will officially be in a heat wave, which requires three consecutive days of heat indices — or feels-like temperatures — of 95 degrees or higher.

A cold front will approach with showers and storms Wednesday and Thursday, but Jamison said people concerned about how dry it’s been shouldn’t get their hopes up.

“There will be some scattered showers and thunderstorms, but they’ll be hit or miss and won’t provide relief for gardens,” she said.

Just over 35% of Maine — mostly in the southwest and Down East portions of the state — is experiencing abnormally dry conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

BEATING THE HEAT

Cooling centers will be open in a number of communities for people who need relief from the heat. The Maine Emergency Management Agency keeps an updated list of cooling centers on its website.

Three cooling centers will be open in Falmouth. The Family Ice Arena on Hat Trick Drive is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Mason-Motz Activity Center on Middle Road is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Falmouth Memorial Library on Lunt Road is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers Wi-Fi and device charging.

The Woolwich Town Hall will operate a cooling center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday and Tuesday. The Pittsfield Public Library is also available as a cooling center during its regular hours.

The Bridgton Community Center will open a cooling center Monday through Wednesday.

The Hubbard Memorial Library in Hallowell will be open as a cooling center from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday and 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. The libraries in Gray and Scarborough are also open and welcome people to come in to cool off.

It is unlikely the temperature in Portland will be high enough to trigger the opening of cooling centers, but city officials encourage people to visit the splash pads and Deering Ravine to cool off. Street outreach teams will also be passing out water and other supplies to homeless people.

Auburn officials aren’t activating cooling centers but encouraged people to visit publicly accessible cool spots, including the library and the mall. The Auburn Senior Community Center at Auburn Recreation has programs scheduled for people over 50. The Drop-In Center will also be open from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday at 121 Mill St.

STAYING SAFE

The weather service warns that hot temperatures and high humidity may cause heat illnesses and advises people to take precautions if they need to be outside. People should limit strenuous outdoor activities to early morning and evenings when possible, and they should wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothes when outside.

To stay safe during dangerously high heat, the Red Cross recommends three essential actions: stay hydrated, stay cool and stay connected.

Drink a cup of water every hour; if working or spending time in the sun, drink more — one cup every 20 minutes — and take breaks in the shade.

The Red Cross also recommends checking in on family, friends and pets to ensure they have access to water and shade.

Officials say it is important to know the signs of heat-related illness and to get people medical attention as soon as possible if they show signs of heatstroke.

Signs of heatstroke include: a high body temperature; a fast, strong pulse; headache; dizziness; confusion; and loss of consciousness. Heatstroke is an emergency, and 911 should be called immediately, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Signs of heat exhaustion include: heavy sweating; cold, pale and clammy skin; a fast, weak pulse; muscle cramps; nausea or vomiting; tiredness or weakness and dizziness. If you are experiencing heat exhaustion, you should move to a cool place, loosen your clothes, sip water and put cool, wet cloths on your body, the CDC says.