Syracuse, N.Y. -- After a record-breaking Monday, the early season heat wave in Upstate New York ramps up today as temperatures and humidity increase.
The high temperature Monday hit 94 degrees in Syracuse, a record for June 17. Temperatures are expected to reach at least 96 degrees in Syracuse today through Thursday, something that hasn’t happened in June since records began in 1903, according to the National Weather Service.
Onondaga County is keeping beaches open later, county case managers are checking in with older people most vulnerable to the heat, and, in a first for some, schools are closing early to keep kids out of stuffy and overheated classrooms.
A heat wave isn’t all that unusual in Syracuse, one of the nation’s snowiest cities. Syracuse gets an average of one heat wave a year, defined as at least three consecutive days of 90 or greater.
But what’s different this time is, well, the timing. These sweltering days are coming just after Father’s Day, before schools are out and even before most of the city’s pools have opened.
The Syracuse City School District, which had just one snow day this school year, will dismiss most of its students early because of heat on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. (Schools are already scheduled to close Wednesday for Juneteenth.)
High schools are going ahead with Regents exams, though some students were being moved to rooms with air conditioning.
Syracuse is seeing more 90-degree days during the span of the school year, from early September to late June, than in the past.
From the start of official records in 1903 through 1999, the typical school year had two days of 90 degrees or greater. Since 2000, it’s nearly double that. (That includes this week’s projected 90-degree days.)
To help residents beat the heat, Onondaga County’s two beaches, Oneida Shores and Jamesville Beach, will stay open until 8 p.m. this week, County Executive Ryan McMahon said.
McMahon also said that county case workers are calling people most at risk of health impacts from heat.
“We have our case managers who are contacting seniors who are homebound and frail,” McMahon said. “The calls are aimed to make sure that our seniors are staying hydrated, looking for signs of potential ailments, and to give them information leading to cooling centers.”
State lawmakers also have the heat on their minds.
Earlier this month, state lawmakers passed legislation that would require schools to adjust when temperatures in classrooms or service areas reached certain temperatures.
When temps in the rooms hit 82 degrees, staff would be required to close blinds, turn off lights and unnecessary electronics and bring in fans. If temps climbed to 88 degrees, the schools must evacuate the spaces.
If Gov. Kathy Hochul signs the bill, the changes would take effect on Sept. 1, 2025.
Staff writer Elizabeth Doran contributed to this report.