NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – New York City continues to sizzle under a heat dome on the first day of summer Thursday, with high temps set to reach the mid-90s and RealFeels to near 100 degrees.
An Air Quality Alert was issued for all of New York City until 11 p.m. Thursday, as the week-long heat wave rages on. Meanwhile in North Jersey and the Hudson Valley, conditions are even hotter and a Heat Advisory is in effect until Friday night.
The summer solstice arrives in the Northern Hemisphere at 4:51 p.m. ET Thursday, marking the beginning of the summer season.
The hot weather is the result of a heat dome. According to meteorologists, a high pressure system develops in the upper atmosphere and causes the air below it to sink and compress, which raises temps in the lower atmosphere. As the hot hair expands, it creates a bulging dome.
According to AccuWeather, the high will reach a humid 92 degrees in Midtown on Thursday, while RealFeels will surge to nearly 100. It will remain warm and sticky Thursday night, with lows only dropping to 76 in the five boroughs.
NYC has a map of cooling centers, as well as a map of places to hydrate, refresh and stay in the shade. For more, visit nyc.gov/beattheheat or call 311. (Note: NYC beaches are open, but outdoor pools don't open until June 27.)
State parks have free admission Wednesday and Thursday, and select state-run pools and beaches opened early for swimming, Gov. Kathy Hochul said.
The dangerous heat is set to continue Friday, when the high will be 94 and RealFeels will again approach 100 in the city. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon and evening but will provide little relief.
It will be cooler, but still hot and humid, this weekend: Saturday’s high is 86 and Sunday’s high is 90.
The heat is expected to continue next week, with highs in the upper 80s or low 90s every day. The heat won’t subside until next weekend, when highs may return to the 70s.
