Things are heating up in Baltimore this week.

Temperatures are expected to rise as high as 98 degrees through Wednesday, near record-breaking levels. The last time the city experienced temperatures that high at this time of the year was 1962.

Maryland is also under a Code Orange air quality alert for Monday, meaning the air pollution concentration in the region may become unhealthy for sensitive groups, said Luis Rosa, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service’s Baltimore/Washington office.

Based on weather conditions, air quality could be at its worst on Tuesday and start improving Wednesday, Rosa said.

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Baltimore broke two heat records in April, prompting a red-flag warning in parts of Maryland.

But there’s a silver lining. The National Weather Service is predicting a small respite with temperatures in the 60s and 70s and possible rain later in the week.

The “big shift in the pattern” means Memorial Day festivities will be rainy and dreary, said Brendon Rubin-Oster, a meteorologist for the weather service.

“Be prepared. Bring rain jackets and umbrellas,” Rubin-Oster said.

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On Thursday, city administrator Faith Leach announced the beginning of Baltimore’s Code Red Extreme Heat season. There were 14 extreme heat days and eight heat-related deaths in Baltimore last year.

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An extreme heat day is triggered when the heat index is forecast to reach 105 degrees. When that happens, the city opens cooling centers for residents.

Outdoor pools are also open longer during periods of extreme heat, offering three two-hour open swim sessions for people looking to cool down. The city also announced that the six city pools will begin operating Saturday: Cherry Hill, Druid Hill, Lake Clifton, Riverside, Patterson and Roosevelt. They will initially be open only on weekends, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Cooling centers have been set up around the city, and their locations can be found online. Operating hours vary by location.

“Extreme heat can be life-threatening, and we want to make sure all of our residents have what they need to stay safe this summer,” Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement. “As we move into Code Red Extreme Heat season, I encourage residents to check out the cooling centers and other resources we have available, and check on neighbors, friends, and loved ones.”

The Code Red advisory will remain in effect until Sept. 15.

Banner reporter Clara Longo de Freitas contributed to this story.