NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) -- A wild week of weather is in the forecast for New York City, with severe storms Friday and the year's first heat wave shaping up for next week.
Friday's storms will hit hard and fast, bringing heavy rain and gusty winds by the evening and clearing overnight, according to AccuWeather.
Gov. Kathy Hochul said state agencies were preparing for both the storms and severe heat: "New Yorkers should take every precaution they can over this next week to stay cool and stay safe as the combination of severe storms, heat, and humidity will pose a significant health risk for vulnerable New Yorkers."
Friday started calm and sunny, but clouds will fill the skies by afternoon as highs reach about 87 degrees in Midtown. RealFeel temps will approach 100.
An Air Quality Alert is in effect for NYC, Westchester, Rockland and North Jersey until Friday night, with pollutants expected to reach unhealthy levels.
The storms will arrive in the northwestern suburbs by afternoon before moving into NYC in the late afternoon or evening.
The system may include torrential rain, damaging winds and even hail in isolated spots.
"Some thunderstorms could be strong to severe, capable of producing gusty to damaging winds, large hail and brief heavy downpours," the National Weather Service said. "Localized flash flooding is possible."
Lingering showers overnight will make way for a pleasant, sunny and breezy weekend. Both Saturday and Father's Day Sunday are expected to be near picture-perfect, with low humidity and highs near 80.
While next week will start out similarly nice on Monday, the heat will ramp up starting Tuesday.
Highs will near or surpass 90 each day from Tuesday to Saturday, while surging humidity may push RealFeels to the triple digits. If the city sees three consecutive days of 90-degree temps, it will mark the first official heat wave of the year. The official start of the summer season is Thursday.
