Heat wave NYC: Juneteenth forecast, air quality alerts and more
NEW YORK CITY - The first significant heat wave of 2024 is underway in NYC.
While temperatures in New York City will get into the 90s, the humidity will make it feel even hotter with feels-like temperatures soaring above 100 degrees.
JUMP TO: FORECAST l HEAT RISK MAP l AIR QUALITY l SUMMER OUTLOOK
Temperatures are expected to soar upwards of 20 degrees above what is typical in mid-June, with heat indices in the dangerous range. The Big Apple has not seen a 100-degree reading since July 18, 2012, during one of the worst heat waves in modern history.
Here's what you need to know about this week's potential heat wave, including a full forecast, a heat risk map and the rest of the summer outlook.
Heat wave this week: Watches, advisories
A majority of the population in the Northeast are under a heat advisory, including New York City and Newark.
This graphic shows active heat alerts in the U.S. (FOX Weather)
The National Weather Service office in Mount Holly, New Jersey, was very blunt with its forecast – "It’s gonna be hot!"
Weather in NYC this week
Residents can expect the hottest temperatures between noon and 8 p.m. each day.
Juneteenth: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83.
Thursday: Sunny, with a high near 90.
Record-breaking heat is baking millions from the Midwest to Northeast this week.(FOX Weather)
Friday: A 50% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.
Saturday: A 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 80.
Sunday: A 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87.
What constitutes a heat wave?
In the Northeast, a heat wave is defined as three or more days in a row of temperatures in the 90s.
When will the heat wave end?
"This heat will continue all the way into next week, but storm chances will pick up by the weekend," FOX 5 NY's Mike Woods said.
Heat risk map
In many of the areas where daily records could be broken or there is a lot of pavement, the National Weather Service’s HeatRisk map has labeled communities at a Level 3 or 4 out of 4 for impacts.
The HeatRisk threat level takes into consideration the unusual nature of the heat, the duration of the extreme temperatures and potential health impacts.
- At a code red (Level 3) stage, heat affects anyone who is not adequately hydrated or those without access to cooling.
- Magenta (Level 4 signifies) extreme heat that is either rare or long in duration. Health systems can be impacted by an influx of patients with heat-related illnesses.
During the height of the heat wave on Thursday, most residents in New York will find themselves at a Level 4 out of 4.
This graphic shows the HeatRisk on Thursday, June 20, 2024. (FOX Weather)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports the most common illnesses from warm temperatures are heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
Health experts warn that heatstroke occurs when the body’s internal temperature rises rapidly, overwhelming its ability to cool down. Heatstroke can result in serious health complications and is most prevalent among young children and older adults.
Air quality alert NYC
This map from AirNow.gov shows the current air quality in the New York City area. Click here if you're having trouble viewing the embedded map.
Why is the air quality so bad today?
The air quality alerts caution "sensitive groups," a big category that includes children, older adults, and people with lung diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The New York State Department of Health recommends individuals consider limiting strenuous outdoor physical activity.
Air quality index NYC
For today's air quality index forecast for New York state, click HERE.
To check the air quality in your area, click HERE.
Hotels with outdoor pools near me
For more information, click HERE.
NYC cooling centers
For more information, click HERE.
Juneteenth 2024: What’s open, closed; things to do in NYC
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NYC Juneteenth 2024: What’s open and closed, things to do
There are so many ways to celebrate Juneteenth in NYC this year. From Broadway to Black Restaurant Week. Here's everything you need to know about the federal holiday.
NYC summer 2024 forecast
Those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer are here – and so is FOX 5 NY's weather outlook for summer 2024 in NYC!
While New Yorkers should anticipate lots of fun in the sun, we can also be subject to scorching heat and high humidity, which can be dangerous if we're not careful.
For comparison, last summer wasn't too hot.
- 2023: 5 days of 90+ degrees
- 2022: 24 days of 90+ degrees
- The average is 15 days of 90+ degrees
- The last 100+ degrees day was July 18, 2012
- The hottest NYC day ever was 106 degrees on July 9, 1936
FOX Weather's Andrew Wulfeck and Steven Yablonski helped contribute to this report.