It’s going to be hot and sticky in New York City on Sunday as temperatures are expected to soar into the 90s in the first heat wave of the season.
Monday and Tuesday are expected to be even hotter. Many locations in the metro area will likely climb into the high 90s and potentially break 100 degrees. High temperatures would normally range from 80 to 85 this time of the year.
The National Weather Service issued an extreme heat warning, the highest level of heat alert, for the city, from noon on Sunday through 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
The stifling weather is predicted to create life-threatening conditions, particularly for older people and anyone without access to air-conditioning.
“Heat like this can kill,” New York City Emergency Management said on social media. “It is the deadliest weather hazard we face.”
Temperatures are forecast to peak on Monday and Tuesday.
Sunday will be the start of what could be a record-setting heat wave for the New York City metro area.
Central Park is poised to reach 95 degrees, and LaGuardia Airport 96. With the heat index — a measure of how hot it feels outside that factors in both heat and humidity — temperatures will likely be in the mid-to-high 90s.
There’s a slight chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.
“It looks like a very low-end chance, so we’re not factoring it much into the temperatures,” said Brian Ciemnecki, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Central Park is predicted to hit a high of 98 on Monday and 99 on Tuesday, breaking its same-day records of 96 degrees, each set in 1888. LaGuardia is expected to hit 100 on Monday and Tuesday.
It will feel even hotter, with Monday potentially a little warmer than Tuesday.
“Right now we’re looking at heat index values, anywhere from 100 to 109” for New York City and the metro area, Mr. Ciemnecki said. “Slightly cooler for Tuesday, with heat index values of 100 to 107.”
There’s always the chance temperatures could inch up even a little higher than expected.
If the temperature in Central Park were to climb to 100 degrees, it would be the first time it would hit triple digits since July 18, 2012. The last time Central Park reached 100 in June was in 1966.
“It’s a little bit unusual but it has happened before,” said Jay Engle, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.
Temperatures are expected to be slightly lower on Wednesday, but they will still be above normal and in the 90s.
The weather will not only be warm, but the air will also be sticky and humid. “It’s going to feel muggy out,” Mr. Ciemnecki said.
The nighttime hours will provide little relief.
City officials are advising residents and visitors to drink water and seek out cool places. There will be more than 200 cooling centers open across the city and people can find locations by calling 311 or visiting www.nyc.gov/beattheheat. While the city’s public outdoor pools don’t open until June 27, the indoor pools are open year-round.
In a video message about the heat, Mayor Eric Adams advised people to check on family members and their pets.
The hot weather comes to New York City as a heat dome brings scorching weather to the entire eastern half of the country.
Millions of Americans across the Midwest and Central Plains faced dangerously hot temperatures on Saturday. On Sunday, the heat will continue across portions of the Midwest and extend into the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, from Boston to Washington.
Amy Graff is a Times reporter covering weather, wildfires and earthquakes.
The post It’s About to Get Brutally Hot in New York City appeared first on New York Times.
