It’s official — Boston is sweating a heat wave. And there is no immediate reprieve from the heavy heat and humidity.
If you have an air conditioner, it will be doing lots of work in the coming days. The forecast calls for high heat straight through the July Fourth holiday.
Boston reached 92 degrees at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, the third straight day of 90 degrees or more, the official definition of a heat wave. But the heat index made the city feel more like 100 degrees, said Lenore Correia, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
It was even hotter inland. In the late afternoon, Norwood’s temperature peaked at 98, with a heat index of 107, and Orange hit 100 degrees, with a heat index of 108, Correia said.
Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh declared a heat emergency in anticipation of a sweltering stretch of days, opening all of the city’s pools and cooling centers to the public.
More than 1,600 people visited the centers and pools on Saturday, said Sandy Holden, spokeswoman for Boston Centers for Youth & Families.
The cooling centers may have helped to prevent heat-related emergencies. As of Sunday afternoon, there had been no substantial reports of heat-related incidents, said Marc Sanders, a Boston Fire Department spokesman.
People were quick to seek relief at a city pool, at the beach, or in the shade.
At the North End Park, kids splashed around in the sprinklers while couples lounged underneath trees that blocked the blistering sun.
“It’s oppressive,’’ said Camille Jones of Cambridge, eating her lunch under an umbrella at Faneuil Hall with her husband, Stephen. “It’s OK in the shade, but it’s oppressive everywhere else.’’
Lisa Hultgren traveled from Florida for a vacation with her husband and 7-year-old daughter, Shayla.
“We were trying to escape the heat, but it followed us,’’ Hultgren said while walking along the Harborwalk.
In South Boston, Carson Beach was bustling in the afternoon, with people swimming and playing volleyball.
Michelle and Matthew Johnson cooled off with their two dogs. They’re from Texas, and used to high temperatures.
Still, “this is one of the warmer spells we’ve had,’’ said Michelle, 36.
The Back Bay couple went to the beach after spending time earlier in the day at the SoWa market.
“We were sweating there so we decided to come to the beach,’’ said Matthew, 37.
Marcus Pickering, 36, of the Back Bay, spent his day tanning, throwing a Frisbee, and cooling off in the water with his friend.
“I’m loving the weather,’’ Pickering said. “I’m looking forward to coming back here, if not Wednesday then over the weekend.’’
“I prefer this to snow,’’ said Monique Soares, 45, of Hyde Park, who went to the beach with her son and goddaughter.
Mirabella Pool in the North End had around 150 visitors mid-afternoon.
Lauria Delia, the acting administrative coordinator, said they were prepared for the high turnout.
“We see mostly families, but this is a very diverse pool. They come from all over the city of Boston,’’ Delia said.
“I love it here,’’ said Amy Mills, 27, who was lounging in the shade near the pool. “I wish it was like this every single day.’’
North End residents Cindy and Timothy Finley also spent their afternoon in the shade with their three children.
Cindy said their kids — ages 5 and 3 years old and 7 months — enjoy swimming at Mirabella, especially when it’s hot.
“It’s convenient, and affordable, and nice,’’ Cindy said, holding their baby.
“It’s warm,’’ Timothy said, “but for us Boston folk, it doesn’t take much for us to think it’s super hot. ’’
Sean Smyth of the Globe staff and correspondent Lucas Phillips contributed. Alana Levene can be reached at alana.levene@globe.com. Marek Mazurek can be reached at marek.mazurek@globe.com.
