NYC is under an 'Excessive Heat Warning' as 3-day heat wave begins

It's about to get really, really hot.

City officials are advising New Yorkers to prepare for potentially dangerous extreme heat during the next few days. Temperatures are predicted to soar into the high 90s on Thursday and Friday, and the mid-90s Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

The heat index, which is an approximation of what the temperature will feel like given humidity levels, will be 105 on Thursday and 105-108 on Friday. That earned New York City an “Excessive Heat Warning” from the National Weather Service for the next two days. It's the highest level of heat-related alerts that the NWS issues, and is assigned when the agency considers conditions to be “extremely dangerous.”

Saturday’s temperatures will still meet heat advisory conditions, but are not expected to be as severe.

“Heat kills more New Yorkers every year than any other kind of extreme weather event,” Mayor Eric Adams said during a press conference at the city's emergency management headquarters in Brooklyn. “Access to cooling is a matter of life and death.”

About 350 people die prematurely in New York City every year due to heat-related causes, according to a report from the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released earlier this month. People with underlying illnesses, such as certain kinds of cardiac disease, for example, are particularly vulnerable, the report found. It also noted that Black people and residents of high-poverty neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by the heat.

Adams urged residents to find their local cooling centers, where people can escape the heat in an air-conditioned space, or to consider going to neighborhood pools, or participate in other air conditioned indoor activities. He also advised New Yorkers to drink plenty of water, walk their pets early, stay out of the sun during the afternoon hours, and check up on their neighbors.

“This is not our first heat wave, and with climate change accelerating, it won't be our last,” he said.

Department of Health Commissioner Ashwin Vasan cautioned New Yorkers to recognize symptoms of heatstroke: hot, dry skin; cold, clammy skin; confusion; disorientation; nausea; vomiting; trouble breathing; weakness or dizziness.

“More than 80% of heatstroke deaths in recent years involve people who were exposed to heat in homes without air conditioning,” Vasan said. So the best way to prevent heat illness is to stay in a cool, indoor, air conditioned place. A fan is not enough.”

For people without air conditioning, Vasan said a cool shower can help.

“Everyone should avoid strenuous outdoor activities, especially during the hottest part of the day,” he added.

Zach Iscol, commissioner of the Emergency Management Department, asked New Yorkers to be mindful of excessive energy usage, which can tax the city’s grid as thousands of air conditioners work overtime to keep people cool.

“Although air conditioning is a critical tool in this heat battle, it doesn't need to be operating at maximum capacity,” he said. “We recommend setting your air conditioner units to 78 degrees, or the lowest of cool settings, remembering that it’s all about maintaining your comfort while also ensuring energy consumption for the entire city remains sustainable.”

He also urged residents to postpone nonessential energy usage on Thursday such as doing the laundry, using the microwave and keeping lights on.

Matthew Ketschke from Con Edison said the power company’s systems are prepared for this heat wave, but added that users should expect some additional outages to take place in the city during the next few days.

“We encourage people to use energy efficiently during this period, as the mayor indicated, defer nonessential use to when it cools off, and if they experience a power outage, reach out to us– either by calling us or online,” Ketschke said.

Iscol said this is the first time the National Weather Service has issued an Excessive Heat Warning for New York City since Aug. 13, 2021.

The heat is expected to break on Sunday, with temperatures forecast to drop to the low 80s.