What you should know
- A dangerous hot spell continues to hit the tri-state area Thursday, pushing temperatures into the 90s. They are expected to stay there for a full week and the humidity will make it feel more like the 100.
- Conditions can be dangerous for vulnerable people and pets, so be sure to check with older neighbors to keep them safe during this heat wave.
- A batch of thunderstorms is expected from Thursday afternoon to early evening, some of which may be severe with possible damaging winds and one-inch diameter hail, according to the forecast by The Authority in El Tiempo.
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NEW YORK – The possibility of storms with damaging winds and hail return to the New York area this Thursday, but these conditions will not be enough to quell the dangerous sweltering heat and humidity.
Some may feel a little relief from Thursday’s storms, but it won’t be enough to interrupt the heat wave or even stop the irritating sweat from running. That break won’t come until next week, so already Con Edison is asking nearly 85,000 customers in Queens to cut energy use by 8% as it works to avoid service interruptions.
If Thursday’s storms bring strong winds, there could be more trouble.
At this point, it appears that the greatest risk of severe weather is northeast of New York City, in the Hudson Valley and Connecticut, but any storms that develop in the unsettled environment could result in severe weather. The line of thunderstorms is expected Thursday afternoon into the afternoon, between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
The storms could be strong enough to bring damaging winds and hail up to an inch in diameter. Isolated tornadoes are also possible, while flash flooding is considered unlikely.
Humidity and temperatures drop slightly once the storms leave, but will still be in the mid-90s.
Heat advisories remain in effect Thursday for the entire tri-state area, including all five boroughs of New York City, and are expected to remain active through Sunday.
Temperatures will climb back into the mid-90s on Thursday, and the humidity could be even more oppressive, making it feel like 100+ degrees in many places. An excessive heat alert is already in place for certain inland locations on Thursday.
Conditions can be dangerous at times, for especially vulnerable people and pets, so be sure to check with older neighbors so they are alert and safe. Although it will feel sweltering for the next two days, temperatures won’t reach anywhere near record highs in Central Park (Thursday is 104) for the day.
As bad as it was on Wednesday, it may get even worse for some in New Jersey on Thursday, with a excessive heat alert in effect for the central and southern parts of the state. In those areas, it might feel like 105-110 degrees.
The weekend may be the hottest days of the heat wave, with temperatures reaching over 95 degrees, with the hottest areas being interior New Jersey and the Hudson Valley. All-time highs could be challenged over the weekend, especially on Sunday.
Although we are not even halfway there with this heat wave, the systems already seemed to be stressed. On Wednesday, a New Jersey hospital had to evacuate its emergency room and other nearby areas after some air conditioning units went out, the local mayor said. No injuries were reported, but some of the air conditioning units will not work until Thursday afternoon.
Looking for a cooling center in New York City? Find the closest to you here same.
For those in the city looking to cool off with a swim, NYC Parks said the 51-hour outdoor pool will be extended again until 8 p.m. Thursday at the Olympic and intermediate pools due to the heat advisory. For those thinking of converting a nearby fire hydrant into a sprinkler, the FDNY urges people to take advantage of the sprinkler cap program first.
“It’s important not to open fire hydrants. When you do this without sprinkler caps, it reduces water pressure and can affect our ability to fight fires effectively,” said FDNY Department Chief John Hodgens.
Those planning to cool off in Long Island’s waters, beware of rip currents (and of course sharks).
In order to monitor any potential outages in highly stressed networks during the heat wave, Con-Ed opened its emergency response center to handle increased demand. The utility is asking New Yorkers to save energy by turning off air conditioning in unoccupied rooms and to use dishwashers or laundry facilities early in the morning or late at night, rather than during peak hours.
“If people lose power, we can respond to those outages and restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” a Con Edison spokesperson said.
TIPS TO SAVE ELECTRICITY DURING THE HEAT IN NY
The utility company also had some tips for saving energy:
- Set air conditioners to 78 degrees
- Use timers to set cooling systems to come on no more than half an hour before you return home
- Do not use air conditioning when no one is at home.
- Reduce indoor lighting
- Unplug electronics you don’t use
New York City’s average number of days above 90 degrees in July is 11, five days more than this year’s current total. The heat wave will eclipse that mark when all is said and done.
The city had its official summer heat wave last week, with Thursday being the third consecutive day in the city where temperatures reached 90 degrees or higher. This heat wave will be even hotter and possibly more than twice as long.
Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statewide heat advisory before the latest wave began, saying Monday, “The next few days will bring extreme heat across the state with dangerous heat indexes that could reach 100.”
“I urge all New Yorkers to prepare for the heat and humidity this week and to keep a close eye on the weather in the days ahead,” the Democrat added. “As New Yorkers, we take care of each other, so don’t forget to check on your neighbors, especially seniors, those with young children, and people with disabilities.”
The New York State Department of Health is also reminding New Yorkers that heat is the leading weather-related cause of death in the United States. Heat-related deaths and illnesses are preventable, but each year many people suffer from the effects of extreme heat. Some people are at higher risk for heat-related illness than others.
New Yorkers should be aware of the risk factors and symptoms of heat-related illnesses to protect themselves and their loved ones.
AVOID HEAT STROKE
Symptoms of heat stroke include:
- Hot, dry, red skin
- a quick pulse
- Fast and shallow breathing
- A body temperature above 105°
- Loss of alertness, confusion and/or loss of consciousness.
The tri-state area is under an intense heat spell with temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees.
Follow conditions closely with our interactive radar below:
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