Cooling centers — air-conditioned indoor areas to escape the sweltering heat — are publicly available throughout the region for residents in need, as central Pennsylvania is engulfed in a heat wave that is forecast to last through mid-week.

Blair County

According to Blair County Emergency Management Agency Operations and Training Coordinator Cris Fredrickson, the agency has a number of cooling center locations available on an as-needed basis throughout the county, and interested residents should contact 814-940-5910 for more information.

— Blair Senior Services Altoona: 1320 12th Ave., Altoona

— Northern Blair Senior Center: 505 Third St., Tyrone

— Southern Blair Senior Center: 15229 Dunnings Highway, East Freedom

— Williamsburg Senior Center: 423 West Second St., Williamsburg

All Blair Senior Service locations are open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday.

— Church of the Good Shepherd: Open from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 1650 Clay Ave., Tyrone

— James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center: Open to veterans and their immediate families from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Friday, 2907 Pleasant Valley Blvd., Altoona

— Salvation Army Church: Open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Wednesday, 1813 Sixth Ave., Altoona

Huntingdon County

— Juniata College Library: Open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, 1700 Moore St., Huntingdon

— Mapleton American Legion Post #322: Open from 1 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Wednesday, 483 Railroad St., Mapleton