The blazing heat didn’t stop New Yorkers from celebrating the Fourth of July on Saturday.
Scorching temperatures in the 90s have gripped the city for the past several days, with the mercury hitting 100 degrees in Central Park on Thursday afternoon. An extreme heat warning was in affect for the Fourth until 9 p.m., with thunderstorms expected to hit the city in the evening. Officials warned New Yorkers to stay hydrated, bring a fan and take breaks in the shade or air conditioning, per New York City Emergency Management.
“New York, this dangerous heat wave isn’t over. Remember to stay hydrated this holiday weekend and plan ahead before celebrating outside,” Mayor Mamdani said on X.
Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News
A canoeing photographer enjoys a cold one during the Sail4th 250 Tall Ships Parade in New York Harbor on July 4, 2026. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)
Heat temps were expected to range from 96 to 101 degrees, but feel like 103 to 110 degrees, according to NYCEM. At around 5:30 p.m., the temperature was hovering at a sweltering 95 degrees.
As well as urging New Yorkers to bring along water, he added they should find a cooling center near their travel destination and plan time outdoors accordingly if vulnerable to heat risk.
The city has taken a slate of actions to help sweat-dripping denizens find refuge from the heat, including opening up additional cooling centers and expanding pool hours.
A woman uses an umbrella for shade on Flushing Ave. in Brooklyn on July 4, 2026. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)
“We wanna be clear with people: our city loses about 500 people a year to heat-related illness,” Mamdani said on WFAN Wednesday morning. “We want everyone to take this very seriously. And what we’re also trying to do is make it as easy as possible to stay cool.”
New Yorkers lined up to hit the cooling water in outdoor city pools at McCarren Park, Highbridge Park and Astoria Park. NYCEM and Parks Department workers provided water to swimmers waiting in line.
Throngs of people line up for a chance to beat the heat at the Van Cortlandt Pool inside Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx on Friday, July 3, 2026. (Theodore Parisienne / New York Daily News)
This comes a day after multiple children collapsed while waiting in a long line for the McCarren Park pool Friday afternoon. One boy, 12, succumbed to the heat and passed out, with EMS medics and police rushing to help him, according to PIX 11.
The 50th Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks show is scheduled to start around 8 p.m., but is being monitored by the mayor and Macy’s, with the possibility of delaying the start if the thunderstorms are too severe, according to PIX 11.