Brace yourselves for a serious heat wave!
The National Weather Service issued an Extreme Heat Watch for New York starting Saturday. This is ahead of a forecasted four-day stretch of dangerously high temperatures, possibly exceeding the 100-degree mark.
“We’re pretty much stuck in this hot, sunny pattern for the first half of the week,” noted meteorologist Marissa Lautenbacher.
This heat watch might escalate to an excessive heat warning, which signals “very dangerous thermal conditions.”
“By tonight, we’re likely to switch over to that excessive heat warning,” Lautenbacher remarked.
A heat wave occurs when temperatures remain at 90 degrees or more for three days straight, which could happen from Sunday to Wednesday, with Tuesday expected to be the hottest.
The last time NYC endured a heat wave was in early August, when temperatures peaked at 95 degrees.
Forecasts indicate that Central Park will reach around 87 degrees on Saturday, but it will climb significantly to about 95 degrees on Sunday. Monday will continue with the heat and humidity, while Tuesday could hit 102 degrees.
Wednesday doesn’t look much better, as temperatures are predicted to reach 97 degrees.
Since weather records began in Central Park back in 1869, both Monday and Tuesday might set new records, surpassing the previous high of 96 degrees from 1888.
Lautenbacher mentioned, “We’re nearing 84 degrees now, and things should cool off by Thursday.” She added that the anticipated temperatures for Monday and Tuesday aim to break records dating back 137 years.
The last time New York City recorded temperatures at 100 degrees was on July 18, 2012, more than a decade ago.
If Monday sees 100 degrees, it will mark an early record for all five boroughs.
The longest documented heat wave in NYC happened in 1953, lasting a grueling 12 days.
This time around, even nights aren’t offering much relief.
“The risk of heat-related illnesses is really high, and it won’t cool down significantly overnight. Expect late-night temperatures in the upper 70s, even in the low 80s. If you like sleeping with your windows open, good luck with that,” she mentioned.
The National Weather Service has issued heat watches for Sunday through Tuesday across all boroughs.
Lautenbacher cautioned against high humidity, which makes it feel much stickier. “Sweat won’t evaporate easily due to the tropical-like humidity.”
Governor Hochul has also commented on the situation, stating, “Extreme heat is a leading cause of weather-related deaths, but with proper preparations and communication, we can save lives.”
“That’s why we’re adopting an all-government approach to encourage New Yorkers to stay safe, particularly those who are most vulnerable,” she added, also urging early voting ahead of the June 24 primary.
For relief from the heat, NYC residents can contact 311 to find nearby cooling centers.
