Cleveland and Akron expand warming center operations as extreme cold and dangerous wind chills persist

Expanded hours and additional overnight options are aimed at keeping residents safe during the cold snap

Cleveland and Akron have expanded access to warming centers as a prolonged stretch of frigid weather settles over Northeast Ohio, bringing daytime temperatures in the teens and wind chills expected to dip well below zero at times. Local governments and partner agencies have positioned public facilities as temporary refuges for people who lack reliable heat, are experiencing homelessness, or need a safe place to warm up during the coldest part of the week.

In Cleveland, four recreation centers are operating as warming centers from late morning through late evening. The sites are open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. through Tuesday.

• Michael Zone Recreation Center, 6301 Lorain Ave.
• E.J. Kovacic Recreation Center, 6250 St. Clair Ave.
• Zelma George Recreation Center, 3155 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr.
• Collinwood Recreation Center, 16300 Lakeshore Blvd.

City guidance indicates the facilities welcome men, women, and families. For people who need overnight shelter rather than daytime warming, transit support has been used to help individuals reach appropriate overnight options. Cleveland-area officials have also emphasized practical cold-weather steps, including limiting time outdoors, dressing in layers, and bringing pets inside.

In Akron, the city has extended hours at the Summit Lake Community Center to serve as a daytime warming center on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday (Jan. 18–20), operating from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. City community centers are closed Sunday and Monday, with normal operations expected to resume Tuesday. Akron has also activated an emergency overnight warming option on East Voris Street with evening-to-morning hours during the cold stretch.

Warming centers are designed to reduce cold exposure risks such as hypothermia and frostbite, which can escalate quickly when wind chills drop below zero.

Countywide resources and what residents should know

Cuyahoga County has maintained a centralized listing of cold-weather resources, including a map of available warming sites, along with seasonal shelter options operated by community partners. County information also highlights support services for seniors and adults and directs residents to coordinated assistance for people needing emergency housing placement during extreme weather.

Officials across the region have urged residents to check on neighbors who may be vulnerable, confirm that older adults have adequate heat, and plan for winter driving hazards. The current setup reflects a broader winter-weather posture: extending public-building hours, coordinating shelter capacity, and using transportation options to connect people with safe indoor spaces while temperatures remain dangerously low.