An extreme, potentially record-breaking heat wave is forecast to grip the New York City area through the rest of this week and possibly beyond.
Temps will be at or above 90 degrees through at least next Monday, when a round of thunderstorms may break the heat. Until then, expect sizzling highs and RealFeel temps over 100 at times.
It’s not as humid on Tuesday, but heat advisories have been issued for the entire area from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, as the heat and humidity are set to soar starting mid-week. Another round of heat advisories are expected Thursday.
The high will be 91 on Tuesday, 94 on Wednesday and 95 on Thursday—but RealFeels will be in the mid-90s Tuesday and between 100 and 105 Wednesday and Thursday.
New York City will open cooling centers throughout the five boroughs beginning Tuesday.
A heat wave is defined as three or more days of heat at or above 90 degrees.
Only 21 times in New York City history has the heat stayed above 90 for seven days in a row. If this heat wave continues into next Tuesday it would account for one of the 10 hottest stretches in the history of the city.
The last time there was eight consecutive days of 90-degree heat was 20 years ago—a stretch in 2002 that lasted from July 29 to Aug. 5. There was a seven-day heat wave in 2013, from July 14 to July 20.
New York City’s longest heat wave ever was in 1953 and lasted 12 days between Aug. 24 and Sept. 4.
