A National Weather Service heat advisory took effect for the tristate area Tuesday as temperatures headed for the 90s in the summer heatwave.
New York, New Jersey and Connecticut were placed under heat advisory starting at 11 a.m. Tuesday and extending through 9 p.m. Wednesday, the NWS said Tuesday. While a few coastal areas in New York and Connecticut were spared the advisory for Tuesday, it would extend to them as well on Wednesday, NWS meteorologist James Tomasini told the Daily News.
An advisory goes into effect when heat and humidity “make it feel like 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any length of time,” the NWS explained. In this case, heat index values up to 104 degrees would hit all five boroughs, the NWS predicted. Tomasini said the index could rise to 105 degrees in New York City and western Long Island on Wednesday, the “peak day” for the heat blast.
The hot and humid conditions are expected to worsen Wednesday before easing toward more typical summer temperatures by the weekend, bringing a 60% chance of rain, Tomasini said. Tuesday’s highs were expected to range from the upper 80s to the mid 90s, the NWS forecast said. Several counties in New Jersey and eastern Pennsylvania were under an extreme heat warning, which is triggered by a 105-degree heat index. Newark was set to hit 101 degrees outright, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Dan Pydynowski told the Daily News.
“Really the entire I-95 corridor between Philly and NYC tomorrow is going to be within that 98-100, 98-101 degree range, so very hot for everybody,” Pydynowski said, urging motorists to carry water in case they get stranded.
Such conditions increase the potential for heat stroke or illness, especially since the initial signs can be subtle, New York City Emergency management warned on its website. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly and people with chronic health issues, face a higher risk, the NWS noted. In addition, homes without air conditioning may surpass outdoor temperatures, the agency said.
Residents seeking a cooling spot can enter their address at the “NYC Cool Options” page to find the nearest cooling center on a map. Heading to a mall, museum, coffee shop or library is another cool option, the city noted.
In addition to heat dangers on land, weather experts warned of a high risk of rip currents, especially from late Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning. While the risk would be moderate at first, it was set to increase to high later on Tuesday “just as most lifeguards and beach patrols finish routine daily operations,” the NWS said, adding that the upcoming new moon’s effects on tidal fluctuations could enhance the risk.
The extreme temperatures are part of a heat dome enveloping the country that is set to break or tie more than 90 temperature records nationwide, the NWS predicted.
With News Wire Services